City Manager, Darlene Burcham, to retire March 1

10:25 p.m.

Behind closed doors, city council went into executive session. After three hours of discussion, they came back to the chambers to make an announcement about the city manager, who was up for her annual review.

“Council has accepted her retirement date and look forward to starting a transition process very quickly,” said Gwen Mason, a council member.

Burcham was up front with council members and told them after Mason made the announcement,
“It’s clear from the conversation that council believes it’s time for somebody new or someone different,” she said.

We asked Burcham if she felt pressured to retire.

“Well, I think council has indicated clearly a desire for a change,” she said.

We took our questions to Mayor David Bowers who said there was no incident in particular that spurred the idea for someone else to take the city manager’s position.

Burcham said, “I’d never thought about retiring if the truth be known because I think I’ll probably work until the day I drop dead.“

She was more upset that the possibility of her leaving was leaked before the closed session.

“I’m disappointed there was a public opportunity in advance of a private discussion, and I think each of you, if you thought about it, would be a little concerned,” she said.

Bowers wants to make clear that he got along fine with Burcham, and called the decision mutual by council and Burcham.

“I would say to the public for the last year, it’s been a positive relationship,” he said.

Ten On Your Side asked why Burcham is given nine more months to work as city manager instead of her leaving sooner.  Gwen Mason said that, in part, it had to do with money. Roanoke would have to pay Burcham until March, even if they let her go early. This way, during tough economic times, they won’t be out that money.

Bowers says they plan to have a full-time city manager ready by March 1st but says so far there’s nobody in the running for the position.

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At the end of an executive session that lasted about three hours on Monday, city council announced Darlene Burcham will retire on March 1, 2010. Burcham made a statement in front of council saying she felt council was ready for somebody new. Later she added, she had no plans on retiring before the decision was made. We’ll have more on her comments and what Mayor Bowers had to say about the situation later tonight at 11 p.m.