ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 20, 1996 TAG: 9612200008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
To help the town of Pulaski recruit his successor, departing Assistant Town Manager Rob Lyons wrote a quick summary of what he has been doing on the job.
It took up nine pages, Town Manager Tom Combiths said.
"You won't have to put all that in the ad, will you?" asked Vice Mayor Rocky Schrader.
The town will soon be advertising for a replacement, although some town officials have joked that Lyons should not be allowed to leave until he has done his annual task of preparing next year's budget.
One official said the town could always employ him as a consultant.
"I have a briefcase. And I'll be more than 50 miles from home," Lyons said, referring to the humorous definition of a consultant.
Lyons will be more than 50 miles from where he has spent the last 61/2 years. He will become the first assistant manager for the city of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Although the job is a step up, it was not an easy decision for him and his wife, Susan, to decide to leave. "It's been very much a privilege to serve this community," he said.
"He's been just a jewel of a person to work with," Schrader said. "He'll be very hard to replace."
Lyons attended his last Town Council meeting Tuesday. Council passed a resolution recognizing his "significant and lasting contributions" to Pulaski since he became assistant to the town manager in 1990.
Clerk Ruth Harrell's voice also broke when she called the roll of council for the unanimous vote of adoption.
Lyons served as acting town manager for four months in 1993, when the town was between managers.
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Lyonsby CNB