Hennessey’s new mayor, Randy Bohnstedt, was unanimously elected in a 5-0 vote by the Board of Trustees during its meeting last Tuesday at Town Hall.

“I am truly honored and humbled to accept the position of mayor for the town of Hennessey,” Bohnstedt told the Times & Free Press Thursday. “I want to thank the board of trustees, our dedicated town employees and, most importantly, the citizens of this incredible town for placing your trust in me.

“Hennessey is built on hard work, strong values and neighbors who look out for one another. As your mayor, I will lead with integrity and an eye toward the future.”

Bohnstedt replaces Harold Shaw who had served as mayor since July 1 and who was re-elected to another four years on April 1 by voters.

Shaw was vice mayor in June when Mayor Clif Vogt resigned and that left an open seat on the board.

Vogt cast the deciding vote to make Shaw mayor effective July 1 in a 3-2 vote. Trustee David Jones and Shaw voted yes while voting no were Trustees Bert Gritz and Bohnstedt.

This month’s meeting is the first time in a year when all five board seats were filled.

That’s because after Vogt left the other four board members couldn’t agree on who to appoint, even after they’d asked for volunteers.

Trustees had 2-2 votes on three of the six candidates who’d applied and were nominated by board members, so they had to set the April 1 election date.

Shaw started out as mayor Tuesday night and called for nominations when Gritz quickly nominated Bohnstedt.

Jones then attempted to make another nomination, but Gritz cited that Roberts Rules of Order required a vote before any other nominations could be made.

All five voted yes: Gritz, Peach, Bohnstedt, Shaw and Jones.

Then from the chair, Bohnstedt nominated new board member John Peach as the vice mayor.

Peach was also unanimously elected. Peach won Vogt’s vacant seat that carries only a two-year term.

This is the first time in a year that the board has had a vice mayor because Shaw had been vice mayor before he was elected and the board never appointed someone to that office.

About the New Mayor

Bohnstedt, 37, has served on the board for the past two years after being elected to a four-year term in 2022, which was his first time to run for a public office.

He has been a Hennessey volunteer firefighter for 10 years and became an EMT three years ago.

He has worked at Energy Transfer as a measurement technician for 12 years and was at Energy Meter Systems from 2005-2011.

The new mayor is a 2006 Hennessey High School and Autry Technology Center (auto collision) graduate.

He and his wife, Mindy (Shoemaker), have a son, Caden, 3. She works at TPI Staffing as an accounting manager.

About the Vice Mayor

Vice Mayor John Peach, 73, was elected to a two-year term on the town board April 1.

He has been a farmer for 55 years and is married to Carol (Edwards), who is also a partner in their farming operation.

They have two children and five grandchildren: Gina (Jason) Esau (Mallory, Aubrey and Whitney) and Derek (Rhonda) Peach (Kaleb and Kenna).

Peach ran for the Hennessey School Board in 1992 and served on that board from 1992-02.

He attended Hennessey Public Schools and graduated from there in 1969, then attended Oklahoma State University.

He majored in agriculture and economics and graduated in May 1973.

He is a member of the Hennessey First Christian Church, Bison Cooperative Association Board of Directors, Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Board and the Hennessey Educational School Foundation.

Newly-elected Officials Take Oath

The board’s four newly- elected and re-elected officers were sworn in at the start of the meeting: Shaw and Jones as trustees for four years; Peach as a trustee for two years; and Kelley Vaverka as town treasurer for four years.

Vaverka had two years left on her term as town clerk when she filed for the treasurer position.

(Ed. Note: See upcoming editions for other actions taken at this month’s meeting.)