Tom Douglas

Tom Douglas to retire as town manager in January

After 10 years at the helm of Alleghany County's only municipality and county seat, Tom Douglas is retiring as Sparta town manager. Douglas gave notice officially on the night of the town council meeting, Dec. 2. His notice was accepted by council following a lengthy closed session. The town started advertising the new position this week. In a letter addressed to Mayor John H. Miller and the Sparta Town Council, Douglas said his resignation will be effective on Jan. 28, 2004.

"That's over 10 years of good times and satisfactions working with councils, citizens and staff, all of whom are second to none," Douglas said. "There are no issues to cause me to leave. Ten years was a goal; and for me it's time to enjoy the pleasures of the second half of life which are earned by the efforts of the first half."

Douglas further offered his services to the town above and beyond the date of his retirement. "The mayor has been assured that I will be available until our new manager can be hired and will be available in any capacity for a period of time after that. My commitment to Sparta and Alleghany County will not end Jan. 28th," Douglas wrote. "Thank you for allowing me to serve Sparta and a sincere thanks to the staff for making that so easy."

After the closed session at the meeting, Miller said, "With a heavy heart I would like to have a motion to accept Tom's resignation."

"If I thanked you all every few minutes for the next two years or the next two decades it wouldn't be enough," Douglas said.

"You've done such a wonderful job," Miller said to Douglas. After the meeting, Douglas said he started his career at the Dr. Graybow pipe factory in 1966 making 65 cents an hour and retired president of the corporation.

He said he ‘stumbled' into the job of Sparta town manager when Robert Shaw decided to retire. "I decided to apply for the job," Douglas said. Douglas is a native of Alleghany County who grew up, and still lives in, Piney Creek.

"I got to grow up here and work here all my life," he said with a smile. Douglas lives with his wife of 31 years, Joyce. He also has a daughter, Amy Green of Glade Valley. "I have a brand new grandchild," he said. His grandson, Kayne Green, was born May 28, 2003.

Douglas plans to pursue his other interests after retirement, he said, such as traveling, golf, fishing and spending time with his family.

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