ROANOKE RAPIDS — City Manager Joe Scherer received appreciation from city employees, officials and citizens during a reception marking his exit to retire.
The event was held Thursday at City Hall inside a conference room filled with refreshments and a cake to commemorate the occasion. Joe sat with his wife, Sue, and listened to remarks from various individuals.
Mayor Emery Doughtie spoke about the difficult times the City of Roanoke Rapids had endured and how those at the top often get criticism.
“But this morning, I think that we need to express our gratitude to him, his wife Sue, and the things that they have been able to accomplish through these last years,” Doughtie said.
Joe, who retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years as a lieutenant colonel, said he moved from Ohio where he was city manager to Roanoke Rapids in August of 2012.
According to an article in The Herald on July 25, 2012, Joe took the Roanoke Rapids position as city manager in which he hoped would be the last phase of his second career.
Joe came from Nelsonville, and Ohio Nelsonville City Council President Kevin Dotson said in the article that Roanoke Rapids was getting the best city manager their town has had.
“He’s a fine man,” Dotson said. “I appreciate the way he involved himself in the community. He didn’t just live here, he was involved here. I hate to see him go, but I’m excited for him that he found such a great opportunity.”
Now after nine years of being city manager for Roanoke Rapids, the sentiments are the same for Joe from those he has worked closely with.
Doughtie said he hopes that Joe’s next phase of his life will be what Joe wants it to be for retirement.
“I’m sure that life will bring you whatever you look for in it and what you want to get out of it,” he said. “On behalf of the city and all of our employees and all the people of our community, we wish you well and hope that you find fit to stay in our community as long as you would like to. Wherever you go, I hope that brings you much happiness. Thank you so much.”
Mayor pro tem Carl Ferebee of District Three, said he has been on the council for a long time and has seen quite a few city managers come and go. Ferebee said Joe brought a lot to the community when he came on board.
“This community at that time was going through a lot things,” he said. “Joe brought that stability. We were getting a lot of complaints and a lot of things going on that he came into a storm. He stabilized that and I appreciate Joe for that. It’s a tough job being a city manager.”
Ferebee also mentioned newly appointed interim City Manager Kelly Traynham, who will help until the city can find a new manager, whether it be her or another selection.
“Joe you’ve done well,” he said. “Sue, we’re going to miss you and Joe being around all the time. I know that you said that you will probably still be in the community. As Emery said, stay as long you want. We just enjoy your company.”
Taking his turn to give remarks, Joe thanked everyone for the celebration and gave a special thanks to City Clerk Traci Storey, Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle and others who were involved in setting up the event. He also thanked his wife, who remained seated across the room.
“Thank you for marrying me,” Joe said. “That was touch and go there for a while. She’s put up with the long hours and the late meetings and all the things that have gone into this job that usually had late dinners or dinners by yourself. [You have] been my rock and my support during my whole time here, and I really appreciate it. Thank you very much.”
He then thanked all the elected officials and city administrators for their support and loyalty. Joe said they helped make his job easier.
“I just can’t say enough for everything you’ve done for me,” he said. “It’s hard for me to express in words.”
Joe also thanked the Public Works Department as well as Police Chief Bobby Martin, who Scherer suspected might roast him during the event.
“In case you wanted to say anything, I was ready for you,” he said as he pulled out two photos of Martin dressed for competition in a womanless pageant.
The room filled with laughter as Martin said he was not going to say anything but insisted that it was “game on.”
Joe then turned his focus on the city as a whole and said he thinks there are great things on the horizon for the city.
“There are some positive developments that are going to make this city a much better place to live and work,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing this city prosper and do better. I know all of you will continue to do your best for the city. Please give your full support to the next manager just like you gave to me. Thank you for coming, and that’s all I can say is thank you.
“I’ve told some of you before that this city will always have a special place in Sue’s and my heart. We will always be grateful for the support and the time you gave us here.”
Phil Hux, president and CEO of G.W. Hux & Company Insurance, took to the podium to give thanks to Joe as a resident of the city and someone who loves it. Hux said he and Joe had many conversations on things they both agreed and disagreed on, but whatever it was it worked out in the end.
“I know the city employees know what you have done, but a lot of people in the town don’t know because they don’t care to,” he said. “But there are those that do appreciate what you did here. I hope you do stay in the community because I think it can be a valuable asset to you. I hope your wife does give you some time off so you can get involved in some of the things going on around here.
“Speaking for the citizens of Roanoke Rapids, I really want to thank you for what you’ve done.”
Caudle said Joe is a great boss who has been supportive of employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’s really been a staple force for the city for a long time and it’s something they’ve needed for a while,” she said. “I wish him the best. I hope he enjoys retirement. He’s earned every day of it.”
Martin was asked about Joe’s retirement, to which he said he is happy for him as retirement is a point in life everyone works toward. However, he said he hates to see him leave with all the good things he has done for the city. Martin said he appreciates everything Joe has done for the department heads including giving him the opportunity to serve as police chief.
“He had faith in me,” he said. “I think that we’ve done well, and I just wish him well in his new role as a retiree.”
Martin said he is going to miss Joe, but is looking forward to whoever is chosen as city manager.
“Hopefully, they’ll give Ms. Kelly Traynham a good solid shot,” he said. “I have faith that she’ll take care of things while she’s in charge. I have all the faith in the world that she’s going to be a good interim city manager and I feel she will be a good city manager.”
Gilbert Chichester of Chichester Law Office was the city attorney for the City of Roanoke Rapids for many years until he resigned Dec. 31, 2019.
However, Chichester said he was there from the beginning when Joe came in as city manager during what he thinks was one of the city’s most tumultuous times financially and dealing with some legal issues. In his opinion, he said because of Joe’s military background and character he was able to take control in dealing with Bank of America, legal and personnel issues.
“In my opinion, he has helped this city to turn the corner,” Chichester said. “I believe the City of Roanoke Rapids — in large part because Joe Scherer, has a very bright future in front it. I wish him and Sue the absolute best in their retirement and future endeavors, and I know everybody else does.”
Joe said reducing the Bank of America Roanoke Rapids Theatre debt, while keeping the city fiscally able to provide city services to citizens is one of his accomplishments he is proud of. He said his retirement is officially on Saturday but he has no plans.
“I can’t speak about what my wife has planned for me!” Joe said.
When asked, Sue said she is very proud of her husband and worries about keeping him busy after leaving a high-profile and stressful job that took priority 24/7.
“Joe is very intelligent and a kind man,” she said. “He is thoughtful and extremely organized and analytical. When he makes a decision, you can be assured he has well thought it out. When out in the community, someone would always come up to him to compliment him on the work he was doing for the city. He is also very proud of his military career.
“He has accomplished a lot in his career and worked hard. I guess I have a lot of reasons to be a proud wife as we start this new chapter in our lives.”
Joe is indeed proud of his military career, as any U.S. Army veteran can tell by the Air Assault Badge worn on his attire in his city portrait, which is earned after successfully completing the rigorous Air Assault School.
When asked if he had any words of wisdom to leave behind for folks before riding off into the sunset, Joe said, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
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