Gorin Board Impeaches Mayor Nicholson, Appoints Teel Pflum as New Mayor

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GORIN, Mo. — In a pivotal moment for city leadership, the Gorin Board of Aldermen voted to impeach Mayor Frank Nicholson and appointed Teel Pflum as the new mayor during a special meeting held Friday evening, May 23, 2025, at Gorin City Hall.

The decision followed two special meetings held by the board—one on Friday, May 16, and a second on May 23. During the first meeting, board members voted to initiate impeachment proceedings and have a certified letter of removal served to Nicholson. By the second meeting, the notice had been officially delivered by the sheriff’s department, clearing the way for a final vote.

Allegations against Nicholson included threats toward board members, inappropriate comments, and repeated confusion about administrative responsibilities. The board confirmed the impeachment with a roll call vote.

With the mayor’s seat officially vacated, Mayor Pro Tem Billy Bergheger nominated Teel Pflum—a community member recognized for her active role in city audits and administrative work. “Even though there was an issue with the county vote, she is who the community originally voted for,” Bergheger said.

The board approved the appointment. Councilman Donald Pflum, Teel’s husband, abstained from the vote due to the personal conflict. Councilwoman Dorothy Kussman, who is also Teel Pflum’s grandmother, cast her vote in favor of the appointment. Teel Pflum was then sworn in during the meeting, pledging to uphold the constitutions of the United States and Missouri, and to faithfully discharge her duties as mayor.

“I just want to do it the right way,” she said during the ceremony, a clear reference to restoring proper governance procedures after months of controversy.

 

Nicholson responds to impeachment
In a statement to The Edina Sentinel, former Mayor Frank Nicholson strongly criticized the board’s actions.

“It was unfair and unjust, and I don’t want anything to do with it anymore,” Nicholson said. “I saw that they posted that they were going to impeach me and I went to the bank and took my name off.”

He continued, “For them to make all of these untrue statements is wrong. I’m not in a position to hire a lawyer. I’m on a fixed income. The whole thing is a joke. They changed the locks and didn’t give me a key.”

Nicholson also defended his record: “I ran the city for eight months when [former Mayor] Teresa [Norton] walked away.”

 

State audit and new transparency efforts
City officials also confirmed that a state audit of the City of Gorin is currently underway, prompted by citizen concerns and administrative irregularities. Teel Pflum has been heavily involved in assisting with documentation and pushing for the Missouri State Auditor’s Office to step in and examine the city’s records.

Newly appointed City Clerk Delaney Loughead, who is supporting the board through the audit process, was also present for the meeting.

 

Church property sale and community fundraising
In addition to the leadership transition, the board is moving forward with the sale of the former Gorin Methodist Church building, now owned by the city. The property will be advertised in area newspapers, and sealed bids will be accepted through Thursday, June 12, with a minimum price set at $10,000. Walk-throughs will be available by appointment, and a video tour is expected to be posted online for remote bidders. Bids will be opened during a public meeting.

The board also approved a community yard sale fundraiser to be held June 13 and 14—coinciding with the region’s annual gun sale weekend. Other fundraising ideas discussed included a car show, vendor fair, fish fry in partnership with the fire department, and potential support from the local Mennonite community. These efforts aim to generate operating funds to sustain city services through the remainder of the year.

Gorin’s current city officials are: Mayor Teel Pflum; council members Dorothy Kussman, Donald Pflum, Billy Bergheger, and Rebecca Bass. Frank Nicholson was officially removed from office as of May 23.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for June.