ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, August 27, 1996               TAG: 9608270069
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ELISSA MILENKY STAFF WRITER 

A MAN OF FEW WORDS SAYS GOODBYE TO TOWN

Retiring Town Manager John Lemley kept his farewell short Sunday during a reception in his honor.

Standing on a makeshift stage in front of the Christiansburg fire station, Lemley gave a one-sentence recognition of the community's support, thanked the crowd and simply said, "Bye."

Earlier, between handshakes and pats on the back, Lemley showed a self-deprecating sense of humor when he quipped to a reporter: "I'll bet the general population will be glad when I finally do leave so they can quit reading about me."

Other people at the reception were not as modest, however, praising Lemley for his 40 years of service in Christiansburg. When he officially retires Sept. 1, Lemley will become Virginia's longest-serving town manager.

Assistant Town Manager Lance Terpenny is taking over the top spot, though Lemley will remain on at least two town committees.

"If he moves too far away, I'll get him a 1-800 number," Terpenny joked.

About 200 people came to the reception - a crowd that included Christiansburg residents, local business people and officials from other local governments, including Blacksburg's and Montgomery County's. They munched on white frosted cake and talked through the afternoon, accompanied by strains of country music in the background.

The ceremony to formally recognize Lemley during the otherwise casual reception was brief, just like Lemley's speech.

"For the past 40 years, he has had a hand in everything in this town," said Christiansburg Mayor Harold Linkous. He ended the brief ceremony by telling the crowd they had one last opportunity to tell Lemley about that pothole on their street.

Kathy Mantz, director of the Christiansburg-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, gave Lemley a lifetime membership to the organization and a plaque.

"We all know what a little piece of heaven we have in this town," much of which is because of Lemley, she said.

LENGTH: Short :   48 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  ALAN KIM/Staff. Retired Christiansburg Town Manager John
          Lemley (second from left) greets friends and colleagues at a 
          ceremony held in his honor at the Christiansburg fire station on 
          Sunday afternoon. color.