ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 6, 1996 TAG: 9606060053
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
Mayor Harold Linkous and the Christiansburg Town Council know they have quite a task ahead to find a replacement for Town Manager John Lemley, who said Tuesday he would retire Sept. 1.
Lemley will have been manager for 40 years to the day when he steps down. He has been the town's only manager so far, and is the longest-serving manager in the state.
Lemley, who will turn 67 in July, has been a guiding force in Christiansburg's growth into the New River Valley's retail center. His knowledge and expertise may be almost impossible to replace.
But Linkous already has one applicant.
Assistant Town Manager Lance Terpenny said Wednesday he will throw his hat into the ring.
Linkous has made few decisions about the search, but he said, "certainly we will look within."
Though Linkous and council members knew Lemley's announcement was in the works, Linkous did not start the replacement search because "we were waiting for a positive announcement from him."
They haven't decided on a timeline to get a replacement or if they will use an interim manager. Council itself may act as a search committee.
"Some time after everything settles down we will have a meeting with council to decide how to proceed."
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB