After a series of split votes on Thursday night, June 21, the Oakdale City Council selected Retail Grocer J.R. McCarty to be appointed City Treasurer until the November election.

McCarty, 39, is a lifelong resident of Oakdale and is a head clerk for Cost Less Market in town.  

“His strong financial background is just what we need,” said Mayor Pat Paul. “I was impressed that he has to reconcile the store’s financial sheets on a daily basis. That experience and responsibility is what we need for the city treasurer.”

The treasurer position has been vacant since April when former Treasurer Mike Murray resigned amid his concerns of city financial mismanagement and a dispute with the city’s finance director in the process in which he was asked to sign 17 overdue statements.

McCarty was selected over Retired Administrative Judge Michael Ward and Bookkeeper Carolyn Wheeler who also interviewed on Thursday.

For the complete story, see the Wednesday, June 27 edition of The Leader.