City Manager Darren Currie announced his retirement Tuesday at Whiteville City Council.
“It’s time,” Currie said. “I’ve worked in local government for 31.5 years. It’s time to find something else.”
Currie came to Whiteville from Lake Waccamaw, and previously worked in Florida and the county administration. He has been Whiteville’s top official since 2014.
“Being a local government manager is one of the best careers possible,” Currie said in his letter to council. “You work closely with elected officials, community leaders and neighbors to improve the city in which they live, work and play.”
“It is time for me to open a new chapter in my life,” Currie said. “Over the last several years, local government has changed in many ways. The stress of this career, along with personal medical issues, helped me make this decision.”
Currie thanked both council and staff, calling his time with the city “an honor.”
“From the very serious times where staff has really stepped up to enjoying Christmas dinners, everyone has always been willing to go the extra mile.”
A Columbus County native, Currie is an avid proponent of youth sports. He spearheaded the Nolan Park expansion. Currie has always been a hands-on manager, and could often be found on the scene of water breaks or at other emergencies, assisting public works staff.
Currie has also been instrumental in pursuing stormwater improvements in the city. When flooding struck downtown and elsewhere, Currie frequently drove trucks and performed other support tasks for emergency workers.
He encouraged council to approve the stormwater maintenance crews as a preemptive effort to lessen flood damage, and worked with state and federal officials seeking grants to remediate flooding problems throughout the city.
Currie’s last official day on the job is Dec. 31.
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