Chapel Hill turns to familiar face to serve as interim town manager while filling vacancy
Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue, who was expected to retire this month, will continue to serve the town until next summer as its interim town manager, Mayor Pam Hemminger said Wednesday.
Blue will replace Town Manager Maurice Jones, who announced Tuesday that he planned to leave Dec. 31, after just over four years on the job. Jones’ predecessor Roger Stancil served for 12 years, and before him, Cal Horton filled the post for 16 years.
Blue’s new role was approved Wednesday at a specially called meeting.
The council issued a joint statement Tuesday praising Jones for his “steady hand over the past four and a half years” and for leaving “the town on solid footing.”
The former sports broadcaster and city manager for Charlottesville, Va., is credited with leading work on Chapel Hill’s first Climate Action and Response Plan, a comprehensive review and increases in town employee pay, and a new chapter in the town’s relationship with UNC with the launch of a downtown innovation hub.
He also created the town’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and launched a more efficient process for affordable housing projects and a new approach to Complete Community planning.
“During this time of transition, we want to assure everyone that maintaining stability within the organization and advancing key initiatives are top priorities for the Town Council,” the council said in its statement. “With these things in mind, we have identified an individual who knows our community well and shares our values to be the interim town manager.”
Hemminger also praised Blue before the council voted to approve his appointment to the position.
“In his more than two decades with the town, including 12 years as chief of police, Chris Blue has been an innovative leader. He brings an extensive community network to the job and has a proven commitment to community engagement,” Hemminger said.
Blue also has extensive experience managing the town’s parking services, town inspections and building and development services, she said.
Blue thanked the council for its trust and kind words about Jones and “how he leaves us.”
“I echo those sentiments,” Blue said, and “everything you said about our terrific town team — many of them are represented here. And I couldn’t agree with you more with regard to helping them advance all of your priorities while you search for the next person to lead us.”
Jones, who attended Blue’s retirement party on Friday at the Harvgraves Center, has declined The News & Observer’s request Tuesday for an interview, but included a statement in Tuesday’s release.
“After an assessment of my personal priorities, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my position as town manager,” he said in the news release. “It’s been an honor to serve the Town of Chapel Hill over the past four-and-a-half years. Together, we have come through the pandemic in good shape and taken important steps forward as an organization.”
The search for a new manager will start in January and could take six to eight months.
