OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Town Manager Stephen Gunty has announced his resignation.
The resignation was accepted by the Town Council without comment at Tuesday night’s meeting. Immediately after the meeting, Gunty offered the press a copy of his letter of resignation, but first had to wait to give it to the council, as Council Chairwoman Sharri MacDonald said that the council had not yet received the letter. The resignation was a last minute addition to the night’s agenda.
In a letter to the town council, Gunty stated that the decision to quit was due to “personal family reasons primarily associated with my wife’s desire to resume her physical therapy career in Indiana and to be closer to our family there.”
Gunty’s resignation will be effective Aug. 14 at midnight. He said in his letter that he chose this date so that the move would not interfere with the start of his children’s new school year.
In his letter, Gunty said with the help of his “wonderful assistant” and “the most skilled and professional staff that I’ve encountered during my 25-year career in public management” he has been part of many beneficial changes and accomplishments.
During his tenure at Old Orchard Beach, Gunty’s accomplishments include the review and recommendation of The Ballpark Committee and involvement in legislation that expanded Old Orchard Beach’s jurisdiction over Saco Bay.
Gunty said he regrets he cannot continue to work with “this outstanding municipal organization.”
“It’s been a positive and memorable experience that has helped me both professionally and personally, for which I am grateful,” said Gunty.
Gunty said that he enjoyed his relationship with management of town departments, schools and the library, but did not specifically reference his relationship with the town council.
Assistant Town Manager V. Louise Reid said that she and Gunty worked well together.
“He is a very gentle man who has showed professional respect to his staff, providing the opportunities for us to be productive in our work,” said Reid.
The resignation ends Gunty’s 17-month stint as town manager for Old Orchard Beach, after having been voted in by the town council on March 4 of 2008. Prior to working in Old Orchard Beach, Gunty had served as the city manager of Ellsworth from April 2004 to June 2007. Before moving to Maine, Gunty held municipal government positions in Illinois and Wisconsin.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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