BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Officials with the City of Beckley have approved the appointment of former council member, Ann Worley as Interim City Manager.
The development comes following the decision of temporary Interim City Manager, Billie Trump to step down from the role at the close of August.
Beckley City Council members came together at 8:00am on Wednesday for a Special Session meeting at which the decision regarding an Interim City Manager was to be a focal point of discussion. Once the meeting began, officials immediately called for Executive Session, departing council chambers and returning roughly twenty minutes later.
Upon emerging from executive session, City of Beckley Attorney, William File addressed those in attendance, revealing the decision of council to approve Ann Worley for the role of Interim City Manager.
“He said that two months was all he felt that he could give and that he needed to step away and take care of some other matters. That is what has happened…We had hoped he would remain until an Interim City Manager was found. That did not happen. That’s why we were here today,” said File of Trump’s decision to step aside. “We do need an Interim City Manager in place. The most qualified candidate probably would be Ann Worley. Ann is someone that I think everyone in the city knows [and] has tremendous respect for. She is known statewide; she is respected statewide.”
Following a swearing-in ceremony conducted by Judge Darl Poling, Worley addressed members of council, indicating her wish to schedule a workshop session which would focus on the duties of members of local government.
I’m a firm believer in open communication, transparency, and collaborative efforts that will help advance our city,” said Worley. “Most take office without a factual knowledge of what the job entails. With this being said, I would like your blessing to schedule a workshop for municipal government instruction with guidance from the West Virginia Municipal League…I trust that every one of you aspires to do the best job you can representing your constituents and our city. However, you cannot do that unless you have an understanding and tools to work with.”
