Even before Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne announced her retirement last week, Decatur had prepared a long-range succession strategy.
Longtime staffer Linda Harris, currently Chief of Civic Engagement, Education, and Communication in the Department of Community & Economic Development gets promoted to assistant city manager. Harris will continue focusing on civic engagement, education, communication, and tourism with overall management responsibility for the department.
She’s a lifelong city resident and Decatur High and Agnes Scott College graduate. Her father James Harris was CEO of Decatur Federal and a critical city leader during the 1970s and 1980s. Her great-great grandfather is Joel Chandler Harris, famed 19th century journalist,story writer, novelist and folklorist, notably the Uncle Remus stories.
Meantime Planning Director Angela Threadgill becomes director of planning and economic development and takes over staff responsibilities for the Decatur Downtown Development Authority and Decatur Development Authority.
The city is currently interviewing candidates for a new senior planning position, whose job description includes zoning administration, the planning commission and other planning responsibilities.
Menne, assistant city manager for community & economic development, is retiring Nov. 1 after 36½ years. She predates every city employee save for Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon.
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