A one-time top official in former Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder’s administration has played a key behind-the-scenes role on behalf of new Mayor Misty Buscher.
Val Yazell had served as Langfelder’s economic development director, but Langfelder fired her in 2021 after the two clashed over several issues.
Yazell has served as a go-between for Buscher and the media during the transition.
Buscher also says Yazell and former alderwoman Debbie Cimarossa Thompson were instrumental in organizing Friday’s inaugural events.
