The Mountain Home City Council has appointed Marshella Norell to fill the Ward 3, Position 1 seat vacated by Philip Frame, following his resignation last month. Norell, a former council member and city treasurer, was sworn in immediately after the council’s unanimous 5-0 vote on Thursday night, enabling her to participate in City Council business that same evening.
City Clerk Scott Liles administered the oath of office, as Norell pledged to uphold the U.S. and Arkansas constitutions and "faithfully discharge" her duties. Norell, who served 12 years on the City Council in the same seat, said she was eager to return to public service. She pointed to her familiarity with city procedures and budget processes as key assets during her introductory remarks. "I have the budget experience, and I know that you’re getting ready to go into budget right now," she told the council. "I’ve been on council for 12 years, so I know a little bit about it."
Two Ward 3 residents applied for the position: Norell and Mary E. O’Shields, a neighbor of Frame with professional experience in nursing administration. Both applicants had previously submitted letters of interest to the City Council and spoke Thursday during the meeting. O’Shields highlighted her engagement with the Mountain Home community, her experience as a poll judge and poll worker, and priorities such as economic development, infrastructure, and community engagement. "It would just be an honor to work with you guys," O’Shields said.
Ultimately, the council entered into an executive session to deliberate, a rare occurrence described by Mayor Hillrey Adams as happening only one other time in his eight years in office. Upon returning, council members Susan Stockton, Carry Manuel, Jim Bodenhamer, Bob Van Haaren, and Wayne Almond voted unanimously for Norell’s appointment. Jennifer Baker and Nick Reed were absent.
The decision came amid time constraints stemming from Arkansas Code 14-42-103, which requires city councils to fill a vacant position by majority vote or call a special election at the first meeting after declaring the vacancy. The Council had formally declared Frame’s seat vacant on October 1, following his September 30 resignation to take a job in Northwest Arkansas. Norell will complete the remainder of Frame’s term ending December 31.
Norell’s return to the council comes nearly 18 months after stepping down as city treasurer in April 2022. At the time, she cited pressing obligations from her full-time work and recommended Alma Clark as her successor. Norell subsequently ran for the Ward 3, Position 1 seat that fall but lost to Paige Evans. Frame won the seat without opposition after Evans stepped aside in 2024.
Once sworn in, Norell assumed her responsibilities immediately, voting on rezonings, budget adjustments, and other agenda items. Among the decisions was rezoning property on East 13th Street to allow for a day service center for children, approving budget adjustments for the third quarter, and adopting the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code. During the meeting, Mayor Adams thanked O’Shields for her willingness to serve and noted the challenges of making such appointments.
The seat's future remains unsettled beyond December 31, as the council did not discuss plans for the new term beginning January 1. Norell will next join discussions on a new electrical code ordinance, which had its first reading Thursday and will be revisited at the council's next meeting.