News
LB's Community Dev'ment Director, Melanie Fallon, Resigns (eff. May 6)
(January 31, 2005) -- LB's powerful Director of Community Development, Melanie Fallon, has announced her resignation, effective May 6.
LBReport.com posts below her resignation letter dated Jan. 28.
In a written release, City Manager Jerry Miller's office said a national search to identify and hire a replacement will begin shortly; in the interim, Craig Beck, Administrative and Financial Services Bureau Manager, will serve as Acting Director of Community Development.
"Long Beach has been very fortunate to have had Melanie on its team over the past five years. During this period she has done a superb job. Melanie has led many positive changes in the Community Development Department and the Long Beach community overall. However, in my mind, Melanie’s tenure will always be defined by her caring, leadership, vision and exceptional communication skills. She has been a wonderful model for all of us of the best qualities of public service," said City Manager Miller in the release.
Ms. Fallon's letter follows.
[begin text]
January 28, 2005
Gerald R. Miller, City Manager
City of Long Beach
333 W. Ocean Boulevard, 13th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
Dear Jerry:
It is with mixed emotions that I write you this letter. I will be 55 in April and I have decided that I now want to focus on some different priorities in my life. As a result of my decision I will be retiring from full-time public service on May 6, 2005 (after 28 years of working in some of Southern California’s wonderful cities).
There are several important public policy debates pending within the next few months (governance of the Redevelopment Agency, the expenditure of $200M of Redevelopment bonds, the Housing Trust Fund, full implementation of a newly-focused code enforcement operation, federal funding challenges, just to name a few!) and some may feel that I am leaving at an inopportune time. However, the fact is that I have decided I want more time to do fewer things well, especially those things that involve my family. I want more time to be with and cherish my family, especially since they have been so patient with me these past years.
I leave Long Beach with confidence that the City will continue to successfully meet any challenges before it because of the many dedicated and hard working staff who care so deeply about their City. This is especially true of everyone in the Community Development Department. The hardest part of leaving for me will be missing the wonderful Community Development team, my "second" family. I am proud of the way the department has grown, not in size, but in the ability to rise to meet the numerous challenges faced in revitalizing Long Beach. And, for being able to involve our citizens and business owners in a way that allows everyone to feel proud of what the City is becoming.
Thank you for being such a compassionate boss and City Manager. You have always supported me, the Community Development Department, and it’s [sic] objectives.
Sincerely,
Melanie S. Fallon
Director of Community Development
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