SPRINGFIELD CITY MANAGER RETIRES

This just in from the City of Springfield, shortly after 9 a.m. Friday:

Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson announced today that he has accepted a letter from City Manager Tom Finnie indicating his intent to retire on April 24, 2006.

Finnie, 64, was named Springfield City Manager in 1990 after serving high-level city administration posts in Charlotte, N.C., and Nashville, Tenn. In his letter to Mayor Carlson, he stated that he has been honored to serve the citizens of Springfield and he has appreciated the extraordinary support he has received from City Council.

Mayor Carlson said he will recommend to City Council that Deputy City Manager Bob Cumley be named City Manager. He said he will ask for a closed session after the regular City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, to discuss his recommendation.

Cumley, 62, was promoted to Deputy City Manager earlier this year after serving as Assistant City Manager since 1983. He has worked for the City of Springfield for 32 years, starting as Director of Personnel in 1973. He works closely with Tom Finnie to develop and implement policy and long-range planning for the City.

Man. Way to spice up the Friday news budget.