THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 1995 TAG: 9511150206
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Ronald W. Massie, a key figure in Norfolk's downtown redevelopment and acting city manager for Portsmouth since July, has accepted an offer to become Portsmouth's full-time manager.
Massie, who began his 25-year career in city government as an urban planner, took the post just as Portsmouth begins the first phases of an urban renewal project.
The council voted to spend nearly $5 million on improvements designed in the city's Vision 2005, an economic and redevelopment plan, after swearing in Massie.
Massie originally signed on for a six-month stint as the interim city manager, but said he decided to stay because he liked the community and the promise for its future.
Massie, 57, will earn $99,000 annually. He was sworn in at the beginning of Tuesday's City Council meeting and officially assumes his new title today.
``I could not be more optimistic about the future of this city,'' Massie said after being sworn in.
Councilman James T. Martin, chairman of the council's personnel committee, said the council looked at Massie's experience in local government, including his background in economic development; his work in developing Norfolk's residential and commercial areas; and his background in personnel matters and philosophies in employment, staff development and training.
Norfolk City Manager James B. Oliver Jr. attended Massie's swearing-in. In Norfolk, Massie worked with the city's redevelopment and housing authority on projects such as Waterside, Town Point Park and bringing new high-rise office buildings to the city.
Portsmouth had conducted a national search for a new manager and had received more than 90 applications.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL by CNB