Rutherford Weekly

After a career spanning more than four decades at the helm of town, county and city government, John Condrey is retiring on June 30. One day before the 2019-2020 fi scal year begins, Condrey, 65, will bid farewell to his job at the Town of Forest City where he has served as town manager since 2012. Before being named manager of the county's largest municipality, Condrey spent 11 years as Rutherford County manager from October 2000 to August 2011. His fi rst tenure as county manager was from August 1986 to February 1995. Between his 20 years at the helm of county government, Condrey served as the fi rst executive director of the Rutherford County Partnership for Children and was also a director of administrative services at Isothermal Community College. He began his government career in 1978 as the Town of Rutherfordton's second Town Administrator, following his graduation from UNC Chapel Hill in 1976 with a BA in History and an MPA from North Carolina State University in 1978. Although retiring, Condrey's infl uence in Forest City and across Rutherford County will be etched in the lives of Rutherford Countians for years to come, say those for whom he has worked. There have been great strides during his career, but Condrey is quick to say, "I did not do anything. All of these were cooperative efforts of many people." Condrey refuses to take any credit for progress made city and county government, but gives the accolades to all the boards of commissioners, and dedicated employees at all the organizations with which he has worked. "His footprints are all over the county," said Benny Hendrix, former technology director for the Rutherford County Schools. "He has been a quiet kind of leader, not a lot of drama but he's got things done," Hendrix said. Forest City Mayor Steve Holland said recently, "John mastered the position of town manager. He demonstrated great perseverance and initiative." Holland said Condrey was always interested in representing Forest City and the community in the best way possible. "He enjoyed the same rapport with every day citizens," Mayor Holland said. "No matter the person, the political party, the temperament, including ill temperament of the individual, John could put everyone at ease and make them his friend," Holland continued. Holland said Condrey was a man of integrity and that fact sums up his life. "He will be greatly missed, I wish him the best in retirement," he added. Former Forest City mayor Dennis Tarlton said it was a "tremendous pleasure" having Condrey as the town manager during his years as mayor. "Most people do not know how fortunate we were to get someone with experience in municipal and county government that would connect us with the county as in John," Tarlton said. Tarlton said Condrey was the person who instigated the fi rst conversation regarding the expansion of the Thermal Belt Rail Trail by reaching out to Rutherford Railroad asking about the possibility of purchasing the rights of the trails for the project. At that time there was a six mile trail from Spindale to Gilkey. Parts of that trail were asphalt and gravel. "He started the process to where it is today and the RHI Legacy Foundation made it possible," Tarlton said. RHI Legacy Foundation put more than $4 million in grants to fund the trail. Terry Hines, executive director of RHI Legacy Foundation, agreed Condrey was a major player in the development of the expanded trail. "He initiated the talks of the potential trail expansion with Forest City Town Council," Hines said. "He brought the proposal to us with the plan of what Forest City was willing to do and RHI Legacy Foundation agreed what it was willing to do and the plan was later approved." The 13.5 mile trail from Forrest Hunt Elementary School to Gilkey Lumber is a cooperative effort between fi ve trail partners — Forest City, Spindale, Rutherfordton, Ruth and Rutherford County. During the recent Memorial Day Ceremony in downtown Forest City, Rutherford County Commissioner Eddie Holland publicly thanked Condrey for his work in bringing the social media giant Facebook to the county. Tom Johnson, economic development director agrees. "John, along with Beth Miller, Julie Scherer and myself worked as a team for several months in 2010 on the Facebook Data Center project," Johnson said. Condrey was the county manager at the time, Miller was county attorney and Scherer was fi nance offi cer. "As the county manager, John was a key player in the negotiations and discussions with Facebook. It was his idea and at his insistence that a $200,000 grant program be established to support nonprofi ts in the area. Grant funding for nonprofi ts is presented annually to this day," Johnson added. As county manager Condrey also helped to devise a fi nancial plan to build much needed school facilities and county offi ces. In the 1980s working with the board of commissioners, the board of education and state legislators, 2 one-half cent sales taxes were approved which resulted in over $100 million for construction projects. Dr. Bob England, school board chair at the time, recalled the work that went into the sales tax plan and how the school board, county commissioners and local legislative representatives worked to get this approved. Rob Bole, a former fi nance offi cer for Rutherford County, said the sales taxes netted in excess of $100 million with 80 percent for school construction. A complex fi nancial model was developed with fi nance directors Stella Womack, Bole and Scherer. England said Condrey played a key role in the success of the plan after meeting with fi nance giants in New York to receive ratings for Rutherford County. "John was instrumental in getting this plan," England said. The tax money fi nanced the new R-S Central High School; renovated Chase and East Rutherford high schools; Chase and East middle schools were constructed and the former R-S Central was renovated to become R-S Middle. New elementary schools, Sunshine, Ellenboro, Forest City Duncan, Forrest Hunt, Spindale, Rutherfordton, Mt.Vernon/ Ruth, Pinnacle were also built with the sales taxes. Cool Springs Administrative Offi ces were renovated and the Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) was also constructed. Condrey was elected to Rutherford County Schools Hall of Fame in 2017 and was publicly thanked at that time for his role in the new facilities plan. With the remaining 20 percent taxes, the construction of a new health department, senior center, cooperative extension offi ces, mental health/social services offi ces; court house addition, jail house addition, EMS stations and Mountain Branch Library were built. "We were more than fortunate to have John Condrey as county manager," Bole said. "He stayed on course in good times and bad times." Hendrix said Condrey also worked "tirelessly" with Golden Leaf Foundation and PANGAEA to get funding to extend fi ber optic to all schools, libraries and fi re departments in the county. "Without his pushing and educating the county commissioners about this project, this would not have happened," Hendrix said. "He will be missed more than people realize, but he will stay involved in the county," Hendrix said. Former county commission chair Brent Washburn, recalled the day he telephoned Condrey and asked what "things needed to be done," regarding expanding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) throughout the county. Continued on page 16. Continued on page 16. Su"er Events C A L E N DA R "&' &!'#%"& #&%( 828.245.0365 ) TOWNOFFORESTCITY.COM ) JUNE 28 JULY 14 JULY 18 JULY 25 JULY 26 FREE MOVIE FRIDAY SING • 8PM ICE CREAM SUNDAY LIVE MUSIC + ICE CREAM TRUCKS • 3-5PM ALIVE AFTER FIVE SUMMER BROOKE & THE MOUNTAIN FAITH BAND • 5-9PM MOONEYHAM LIBRARY SUMMER FINALE B-RAD THE MAGICIAN • 10:30AM-11:30AM FREE MOVIE FRIDAY TROLLS • 8PM AUG 11 AUG 15 AUG 16 AUG 17 AUG 23 ICE CREAM SUNDAY LIVE MUSIC + ICE CREAM TRUCKS • 3-5PM ALIVE AFTER FIVE MINUTES & YEARS • 5-9PM HOT NIGHTS & COOL RIDES FRI: CRUISE-IN + OCEAN BOULEVARD • 6PM-9PM SAT: CAR SHOW • 8AM-8PM +SMOKEY & THE BANDIT • 8PM FOOD TRUCKS ALL WEEKEND FREE MOVIE FRIDAY THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS • 8PM FREE EVENTS SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS ISSUE NO. 26 JUNE 27, 2019 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 OUR 27 TH YEAR OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE 187 NORTH POWELL STREET, FOREST CITY 187 NORTH POWELL STREET, FOREST CITY 828-245-0923 828-245-0923 BILL'S AUTO GLASS SHOP BILL'S AUTO GLASS SHOP know? know? SEE US FOR ALL YOUR AUTO GLASS REPAIRS! SEE US FOR ALL YOUR AUTO GLASS REPAIRS! IT'S YOUR CHOICE WHERE YOU IT'S YOUR CHOICE WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR VEHICLE REPAIRED! HAVE YOUR VEHICLE REPAIRED! ©Community First Media Community First Media YOUR #1 ADVERTISING SOURCE! YOUR #1 ADVERTISING SOURCE! John Condrey retiring after long career in local government Steps down June 30 as Forest City's Town Manager by Jean Gordon, Special To Rutherford Weekly by Jean Gordon, Special To Rutherford Weekly On the eve of his retirement lunch, Forest City On the eve of his retirement lunch, Forest City Town Manager John Condrey smiles from the Town Manager John Condrey smiles from the Pavilion on Park Square (POPS), the $4 million Pavilion on Park Square (POPS), the $4 million amphitheater/park constructed during his tenure. amphitheater/park constructed during his tenure.

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