Bill Text: VA HR458 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Christopher P. Morrill.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-24 - Bill text as passed House (HR458ER) [HR458 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HR458-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Christopher P. Morrill has provided outstanding leadership as Roanoke city manager for the past seven years, overseeing a period of major economic development and innumerable positive changes; and
WHEREAS, Christopher "Chris" P. Morrill is leaving his post as Roanoke city manager in April 2017, to become director of the Government Finance Officers Association, a job that is based in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Chris Morrill has a bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a master of public administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, Chris Morrill attended the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership at the University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the Gallup Leadership Institute, and earned certificates in county administration and in budgeting and financial planning from the North Carolina Institute of Government; and
WHEREAS, among the positions Chris Morrill has held during his distinguished career are senior municipal finance advisor for the Research Triangle Institute, fellow of the Kellogg National Leadership Program, research and budget director for the City of Savannah, and United States Peace Corps volunteer in Lviv, Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, Chris Morrill was appointed Roanoke city manager in March 2010, after previously serving as assistant city manager in Savannah, Georgia, for almost 10 years; and
WHEREAS, during Chris Morrill's tenure as city manager, Roanoke has realized a positive swing in its economic fortunes, including the much-heralded decision by Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery to locate its East Coast plant in Roanoke by 2021; and
WHEREAS, Chris Morrill's approach to city management is rooted in his belief that a locality cannot cut its way to prosperity, and his strongest skills are budgeting and finance; and
WHEREAS, while trimming the city budget, Chris Morrill simultaneously pushed Roanoke leaders to move forward with projects such as the City Market Building renovation and the seven-million-dollar overhaul of Elmwood Park, which included constructing an amphitheater; and
WHEREAS, as city manager, Chris Morrill helped Roanokers feel good about their community and to project that positive image; under his administration, Roanoke became more calm, business-like, and upbeat, and the city is now gaining young adult residents, instead of losing them; and
WHEREAS, Chris Morrill's efforts have been aided by the support of an excellent staff, smooth-running city council, and good community relations between local government and citizens; and
WHEREAS, with his keen understanding of how the modern economy works, Chris Morrill has led the transformation of Roanoke from a train city to a brain city, and he is leaving after planting many seeds for the city's continued success; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Christopher P. Morrill hereby be commended on his many accomplishments and exceptional tenure as Roanoke city manager; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Christopher P. Morrill as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his service to the City of Roanoke and the citizens of the Commonwealth.
