THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220614
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
The city is losing two top officials. Ronald W. Massie, assistant city manager for 22 years, is retiring. George G. Musgrove, Human Services Director, is leaving to become assistant city manager for the city of Richmond.
Massie has been a key figure in downtown re-development, including the negotiations that resulted in construction of the Norfolk Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
Musgrove was a leader in streamlining and reforming the city's welfare programs.
Sterling B. Cheatham, now director of finance, will take Massie's place as assistant city manager after Massie retires Jan. 1.
A replacement for Musgrove has not been named.
City Manager James B. Oliver said the changes will be a challenge for the city, but also an opportunity for it to become more responsive to the questions and concerns of the council.
``We're going to put more emphasis on responsive management,'' Oliver said.
Massie is now the city's strategic planner, in effect its long-range thinker. He is also the liaison with the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which plays a crucial role in downtown development and the city's continued efforts at slum clearance.
Massie first joined the city as an urban planner in 1970. He was appointed assistant city manager two years later. Massie said his biggest satisfaction was seeing the city develop and improve, including the opening of new offices downtown and such projects as Waterside and Town Point Park.
Musgrove joined Norfolk four years ago. He oversees a department with a $30 million budget and 600 employees.
The city credits Musgrove for streamlining the city's management of welfare.
Musgrove combined responsibilities for different types of case officers, and had officials function more as teams when handling common problems. The changes were in line with the Total Quality Management system that Oliver has been implementing throughout the city.
Musgrove had upset some staff because he pursued reform and efficiency with such intensity. But Oliver said Musgrove was leaving solely because he was offered a job with more responsibility in Richmond.
Musgrove begins his new job on Dec. 5. There, he will be responsible for coordinating the city's human service programs. Before coming to Norfolk, Musgrove was director of social service in Baltimore. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Ronald W. Massie
George G. Musgrove
by CNB