Lewisburg Fire Chief Wayne Pennington announced he will retire from the department on Aug. 24, after having served the city for 36 years. Stating in his letter of resignation that the position of fire chief for the city of Lewisburg has been “professionally and personally rewarding,” Pennington said he also hoped to spend more time with his family.
“He served exceedingly well in his time with the city,”said Mayor John Manchester at the Tuesday city council meeting. “We’ll miss him.”
In Pennington’s absence, assistant chief Matt Carver volunteered to act as interim fire chief, who, Manchester said, will be a “strong interim fire chief.” Carver also serves as safety compliance officer at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. An ad hoc committee will conduct a search for someone to serve as a permanent replacement for Pennington.
Pennington has also served as the city’s municipal court judge. The mayor recommended, and council approved, Thomas White to serve in that capacity. White is a local attorney and has served on several local boards.” He will be a strong replacement,” said Manchester.
In other business:
• Richard Ford was appointed to the Greenbrier County Library Board of Directors.
• Officials with the Shuck Memorial Baptist Church and the city are negotiating terms regarding a plan to create a functional parking lot behind the church to be used by church members. It will also be available for much needed general off-street parking. Engineering drawings and bids may extend the time line for the project into next spring, the mayor said.