Though it won’t be official until later this year, local community leaders are offering their thoughts on the impending retirement of Emporia City Manager Mark McAnarney.
McAnarney announced his plans to retire Wednesday to Emporia City Commissioners. Thursday, Lyon County Commissioner Scott Briggs spoke with KVOE News about that announcement saying he is happy for his longtime colleague, however, his presence will be sorely missed.
There is an old saying, “no man is irreplaceable.” Briggs says that is true for most, however, McAnarney is a rare exception.
Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jeanine McKenna says McAnarney’s retirement comes at an appropriate time with a large amount of change occurring in the Emporia community. She went on to say that McAnanrney will leave behind a legacy of care and compassion.
McAnarney has been with the city of Emporia for the past 31 years after taking the Assistant City Manager position back in 1989 under then-City Manager Steve Commons. He would later serve under Matt Zimmerman before taking over his current position on an interim basis in 2013 and on a permanent basis back in 2014.
An official date for McAnarney’s retirement has yet to be announced, however, he tells KVOE News it will be before the end of the year. The Emporia City Commission has approved City Special Project’s Coordinator Jim Witt to issue a request for proposal to secure an executive search firm that will oversee the search for McAnarney’s replacement.
