The City of Martinsville is in the midst of a leadership shuffle as former interim city attorney Eric Payne moves into a newly created role with the Economic Development Authority (EDA), while retired city manager Leon Towarnicki returns part-time to help with development projects and staffing transitions.
Payne had served as the city attorney designee, under a contract that required him to pass the Virginia Bar Exam by April 1. Though already licensed in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, Mayor LC Jones said Payne faced “family medical issues” that delayed his plans.
“We would’ve had to either extend his contract or let it expire,” said Jones. “He was under city council’s authority, and when the deadline came, it just made sense to move on.”
Rather than seek an extension, Payne accepted a staff role under the EDA, where he had already been working closely on projects during his time with the city.
“He gave up those positions to take the job under the EDA,” said Jones. “He doesn’t work for council or the city manager anymore. They (EDA) have their own budget, and he’ll operate under their purview.”
City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides said the shift was discussed with both the EDA and city council.
“One of the roles Eric served was working with the EDA,” she said. “Council asked if he could be offered the opportunity to serve as their staff lead, and he accepted.”
Payne is the first to fill the role of economic development director for the EDA, which was only recently formed and has begun identifying properties for redevelopment and seeking grant opportunities.
“They needed a staff person,” said Jones. “Eric had already built relationships with them.”
To help fill the gap left by recent vacancies, the city has brought back retired manager Leon Towarnicki on a part-time basis.
“He’s being brought back on a part-time basis to help with the transition,” said Jones. “He doesn’t need training; he can step right in.”
Vice Mayor Kathy Lawson said Towarnicki is working 24 hours a week in community development and handling ongoing projects.
“He wrote a lot of the grants we’ve gotten,” she said. “I think he wrote every Brownfield grant the city’s ever received.”
Ferrell-Benavides said the city has been without a permanent community development director since Keith Holland’s departure last fall.
“There was a lot of information missing when I got here,” she said. “Leon’s helping to stabilize the department and assist with recruitment.”
Towarnicki had previously returned in a limited capacity before Ferrell-Benavides joined the city, and was already familiar with ongoing efforts like the city’s waterline project.
“When I came on and the interim left, he was willing to stay and help,” she said. “It just made sense to have someone with the background and history here.”
Jones said the scope of Towarnicki’s work is project-based.
“It’s really dependent on the projects we have going. We’ve got some good development prospects in the pipeline, and he’s helping move them along.”
Ferrell-Benavides said the city has received a few applications for the permanent community development role, but the timeline for hiring remains flexible.
“I expect him to be here for three to six months at most,” she said. “He’s not full-time, but he’s been a big help.”
The future of the city attorney role also remains uncertain. Ferrell-Benavides confirmed that hiring an attorney is city council’s responsibility.
“The city attorney and city manager are peers who both report to council,” she said. “We’ve prepared the RFP for legal services, but council will decide how to move forward.”
For now, the city will continue using the Sands Anderson law firm, which has served as outside counsel for the past three years.
“There’s a lot happening,” Jones said. “But the pieces are moving into place.”
