Branson alderman resigns, takes USDA job

A member of the Branson Board of Aldermen is stepping down and taking a U.S. Department of Agriculture job.

Patrick Parnell, a retired veterinarian who owned and operated the Animal Care Clinic in Branson 1981-2013, is scheduled to resign Sept. 1. His term had been slated to end in April 2017, according to a news release.

“Serving with this talented board of aldermen and two mayors I greatly respect has been a great honor and privilege, especially during this exciting time in Branson’s history,” Parnell said in the release. “As a lifelong Branson resident, I must confess some mixed feelings about leaving our city. But I must also acknowledge my genuine excitement to once again have the opportunity to work in my chosen profession of veterinary medicine, this time contributing to the important task of assuring the safety of the nation’s food supply.”

Parnell will move to Noel in the southwest corner of the state for the job of supervisory public health veterinarian in the area of food safety.

The board is scheduled to discuss how to go about filling Parnell’s Ward II seat during its Aug. 23 meeting, according to the release.