ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 7, 1996 TAG: 9608070067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
Town Council voted Tuesday to replace near-legendary Town Manager John Lemley, who is retiring Sept. 1 after 40 years as the town's first and only manager, with his heir apparent, assistant town manager Lance Terpenny.
Council members said they hired Terpenny seven years ago as an assistant to the town manager to groom him for Lemley's job someday. "It has been [our] intent all along to go through with that," said council member Scott Weaver.
Terpenny, 41, was the only person to apply for the town manager's job, and council did not advertise it. Lemley Blacksburg Town Manager Ron Secrist, and Dan Brugh, resident engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation, wrote letters of recommendation.
Mayor Harold Linkous said the town had received other letters and comments supporting Terpenny. Council's vote was unanimous.
Terpenny, who received an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech in 1985 and is a native of Colonial Heights, said he knows Lemley is one of the most highly regarded town managers in the state, and that he has some big shoes to fill. He said he has learned from Lemley how to be fair even while sometimes rejecting some residents' requests.
Looking ahead, Terpenny said the town will complete its recreation center and soon be engaged in upgrading its sewer system. Christiansburg, the state's fourth-biggest town with more than 16,000 people, has seen vibrant business and residential growth in recent years under a town government that has annexed neighboring areas and welcomed new businesses, especially retailers.
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB