While Knox County's new Mayor Tim Burchett and other elected officials won't be taking office until Sept. 1, three members of current Mayor Mike Ragsdale's senior staff have already resigned as of today: Senior Director of Engineering & Public Works Bruce Wuethrich, Senior Director of Library Services Larry Frank, and Communications Director Susanne Dupes.
The News Sentinel has a short item that doesn't reveal much, but such staff changes are to be expected as the new administration comes in. Library director Frank's resignation was perhaps presaged by Burchett's comments in our interview with him last month that "I do not see a new downtown branch in the near foreseeable future." This was a major goal of Frank's, and the quote was not a favorite among library supporters and staff.
Here's the press release:
Knox County Mayor Accepts Resignations of 3 Staff
Directors of Engineering, Public Libraries and Communications tender resignations
Knoxville, Tenn. -- Mayor Mike Ragsdale today accepted the resignations of 3 members of his senior staff, including Senior Director of Engineering & Public Works Bruce Wuethrich, Senior Director of Library Services Larry Frank, and Communications Director Susanne Dupes.
Noting that his term of office ends August 31, 2010, Ragsdale opted not to take any action on naming permanent successors. Ragsdale instead placed the current Assistant Directors in the Department of Engineering & Public Works and the Department of Library Services in charge until such time as Mayor-elect Tim Burchett assumes office and selects permanent department directors.
The Mayor commended the service of all 3 employees: "These employees have done something very few people take the opportunity to do- they have made their community a better place. Public life is often difficult, and they consistently met these challenges with strength and confidence, and the determination to make a difference."
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