Mayor Velma Burnley honored as her career draws to a close
By Frank Ruggiero

The word of the day was “bittersweet,” as friends, colleagues and local government officials attended the retirement reception of Boone Mayor Velma Burnley.

The reception was held Thursday at the Jones House Community Center, and attendees were invited to write notes of greetings and thanks to Burnley in a guest book, before flipping through a scrapbook of news clippings featuring Boone’s mayor of 16 years.

Loretta Clawson, mayor-elect and current mayor pro tem, has worked alongside Burnley for eight years, and said Burnley’s 16 years have been “an incredible journey” for her and the town of Boone.

“She’s done a wonderful job, and we hate to see her go,” said Clawson, who will assume the seat of mayor Dec. 15. “She’s such a lovely lady.”

Clawson believes Burnley has laid down a solid foundation for future progress, and that “the town is well on its way to continuing to do great things, and I think we’ll continue along that same path.”

Council member Bunk Spann, who called himself council’s “new kid on the block” approaching the end of his second year in service, said that in his relatively short time on council he’s appreciated Burnley’s leadership, compassion and devotion to the town, as well as her calm demeanor and ability to manage a meeting.

“I feel like I’ve been blessed to be able to serve under her leadership,” Spann said, “and I’m wishing her well as she moves into what she calls retirement, but she’s already got a full plate of many activities she’s going to continue when she steps down.”

Dan Meyer, president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, attended and said he admires the bridge Burnley helped build between the town, county, Appalachian State University and the chamber.

“When you look back over her years of leadership here, you see a real staid wisdom with great insight,” Meyer said. “She’s great at working with people, and always has a sense of humor at the same time, and I think those are two very important things.”

He said Boone is a better town “for her having shared her talents with us, and we’re just looking forward to seeing what she’s going to do in the future.

Meyer revealed that Burnley will serve on the chamber’s board, and that he looks forward to the knowledge and insight she’ll bring to the table.

Rocky Nelson, Watauga County manager, attended on behalf of the county, and thanked Burnley for her years of service.

“She’s always been a lady and a pleasure to work on projects with,” Nelson said. “The county has enjoyed a great relationship with the mayor and the town, and we’ll miss her, but we anticipate continued good relations with the town and the new mayor.”

Boone Police Chief Bill Post also wished the mayor a happy retirement. Having served as chief for seven years, Post said he was “tickled” with the support Burnley has given his department.

“One thing I think she does really well is work with other people,” Post said. “For one person to make such an impact, it’s sort of hard to do, but she’s always worked so well with everyone that, together with a lot of other folks, she has set the foundation.”

Council member Lynne Mason agreed, and called Burnley “a great role model, as a woman in leadership.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with her in serving our community,” Mason said.

“If you look at the scrapbook and see what’s been accomplished for our community under her leadership, it’s very impressive, and we’ll all be challenged to follow in some pretty big footsteps.”

Though Burnley served as mayor for 16 years, she spent two years prior to that in public office. Also a recognized member of Boone’s business community, Burnley had worked with Northwestern Bank for 36 years, and continues to serve the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.

Burnley warmly accepted the reception, and hugs, with open arms.

“I love it, because that’s been the greatest thing about being mayor – just really having a lot of community support and I’ve gotten to know so many nice people,” she said. “I really appreciate everyone coming, and it’s great to see everybody and get a hug and well wishes.”

Burnley will officially step down from office at the Thursday, Dec. 15, meeting of the Boone Town Council. A ceremony with refreshments will be held at 6:30 p.m., prior to official meeting, at Council Chambers at 1500 Blowing Rock Rd. For more information, call Town Hall at 262-4530.

• Frank Ruggiero may be contacted at ruggiero@wataugademocrat.com.