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By Matt de Simone
Angela Lawrence, who the Town of Buchanan hired as its new town manager last August, announced her resignation Monday night at the March meeting of Buchanan Town Council.
The outgoing town manager shared with council and the Buchanan citizens that filled Town Hall that her decision to resign came “with very mixed emotions.”
“Buchanan is a special place with excellent opportunities to take advantage of its natural resources, location, and history to build a successful future for residents and businesses,” Lawrence said. “I encourage residents, businesses, and council to continue to come together to work for the greater public good.”
In recent months, Lawrence asked town council to consider adding the position of an assistant town manager to help her out with some of the duties as the work was becoming extremely time-consuming due to the town being understaffed. Her initial request last month was met with some council members wanting the assistant town manager to report directly to council as well as to Lawrence, which she didn’t think was necessary.
At Monday’s meeting, council member Rose Jeter motioned to add the position of assistant town manager. Mayor Sue Way seconded the motion. In a roll call vote, council members Vice Mayor Jamie Manspile, Marty Rickman, and Sissy Austin voted against the motion (3-2).
In Lawrence’s statement, she shared her appreciation for the support of the town and understands that the residents, business owners, and staff are “growing weary of the changes in management.” She noted, “Unfortunately, a number of factors have made it clear that my ability to professionally manage this town as a council-manager form of government will continue to be impeded.”
Lawrence noted that, when hired, her initial intention was to serve as town manager until she retired. Now, the town will yet again seek a new candidate to fill the role.
Mayor Way made the initial announcement that Lawrence was resigning. Lawrence’s last day will be May 3 to continue helping council with developing the town’s FY 25-26 budget and she added that Lawrence is willing to serve the town as a paid consultant for specific projects following her last day. The announcement was met with disappointment from many of the residents who attended the meeting.
Lawrence’s departure marks another Buchanan town manager to leave the position over the last few years. During the citizen comment period unrelated to Monday’s agenda, a woman shared her concern for the loss of employees over the last decade. “The amount of employees we’ve lost over the last 10 years is astronomical… I think we have an issue here. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but we need to get to the bottom of why we are losing employees.”
Other residents also addressed their concerns about the turnover in town management and the lack of staff needed to successfully operate the town.
“I remain dedicated to working with you to professionally manage the town during the transition phase,” Lawrence’s statement continued. “I believe we have made very significant improvements to the town and I will remain dedicated to the town until my last day.” Lawrence shared that she did not wish to comment further on her resignation at the conclusion of Monday’s meeting.
Buchanan Town Hall was closed Tuesday morning from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a staff meeting.
Below are the statements read during the meeting by Mayor Sue Way and Town Manager Angela Lawrence:
