Town manager requested to step down
The Christiansburg Town Council has decided to ask for the resignation of Town Manager Lance Terpenny.
In a close door meeting to discuss a personnel matter council discussed its town manager. After the closed door meeting, the council decided in an open meeting (unanimous 6-0 vote) to ask the town manager to resign.
The Council issued the following statement:
“Council lacks confidence in Mr. Terpenny’s continued employment as Town Manager and asks for his resignation effective August 1, 2010 and offers severance of his current salary for 12 months and all other benefits afforded town employees,” according to a Town Council statement.
Severance of his current salary for 12 months equates to $128,750.
All other benefits afforded town employees refers to payout of accrued sick time, annual leave, and ability to draw retirement through VRS. Those figures have not been calculated at this time.
No additional paperwork related to the request for Mr. Terpenny’s resignation or the severance offer has been drafted.”
The council had begun contract negotiations with Terpenny last month.
“Mr. Terpenny has served Christiansburg for 21 years, the last 14 as discussions between Town Council and Mr. Terpenny resulted in a request for his resignation, as it was viewed to be the best outcome for all involved. Mr. Terpenny will continue to serve Christiansburg with dignified leadership through the end of July as he prepares staff for the impending transition.
Terpenny replaced long time town manager John Lemley and had served as Lemley’s assistant for seven years.
Town residents prior to the meeting stood outside the municipal building with signs of protest on Terpenny’s decision making.
No reason was given for Terpenny’s resignation other than lack of faith in his ability, which was cited in a statement ready by Councilman Mike Barber.
“ As Mr. Terpenny looked forward to the last few years of his career as a manager, he was contemplating how to best secure his future. It’s been no secret that town managers often face adversity and his tenure in Christiansburg was no exception,” was the statement issued from Christiansburg Town Council.
