In a Tuesday afternoon press release, Georgetown officials announced that City Manager George Russell is resigning from his position with the city effective Dec. 31. As of press time, city officials did not know who might replace Russell, who began working for the city in 1998 as an assistant city manager and was named acting city manager in February 2000 after Bob Hart resigned from that post (he officially became city manager in May 2000). The release states that Russell “never intended” to stay in the city manager position “indefinitely,” but had believed his skills would help guide the city through a “transitional period.” The city is now in a place where he can move on to “other opportunities,” it said.
Which “transition” is not exactly clear. Presumably, Russell and Mayor MaryEllen Kersch (who officially echoed Russell’s sentiments in the city’s release) are referring to changes the city has undergone since 1999, when Kersch took office and the city’s council seats began changing hands. Hart resigned soon thereafter. Much of Russell’s reign has been defined by acrimonious debates over development, a tightened budget and this fall’s failed referendum and successful recall petitions. Said Mayor Kersch in an official statement, “I respect [Russell’s] love of Georgetown; I know that is what motivated him to take on the burden we’ve shared.”
This article appears in December 7 • 2001.