Milton Losing Community Development Director to Tennessee City

Milton now needs to fill two department head positions, as the Community Development director's post will be vacant as of July 22 and the Parks and Recreation director's last day was Tuesday.

Lynn Tully is going back to her career roots to head the Development Services department in Kingsport, Tenn., in what she called a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I wish her all the best, all the best in the world,. It seems as though it's the right place for her family," said City Manager Chris Lagerbloom.

The city already has 10 applicants for her position, and expects more. The city is farther along on the Parks and Recreation director search, he said. The nice thing about that position is that Milton has Cyndee Bonacci on board part time while the search continues.

For the Community Development spot, Lagerbloom has plans for an interim director for the short term.

Fifteen years ago Tully left Kingsport, having been a staff member.

"It was an old friend that approached me about a position in a place that I knew very well and still dearly loved," she said.

Her husband has been in a doctoral program in that area for the past several years. This will allow him more flexibility to work on his ministerial doctorate at a more leisurely pace, and allow more opportunities in the ministry, too.

"It's really a family decision as much as anything else," Tully said.

Milton is a fabulous place to work, we've got a great staff and we are doing some neat things," she said.

"It was really neat to go back to a place after 15 years since I started there and see some of the things you put into place, put into action," Tully said.

She say what worked and what didn't, and said she was glad to see that most have worked.

In Milton, quite a few things have been accomplished. She said she's probably most proud of her work getting the comprehensive land use plan completed and approved. Another accomplishment was the work on the Highway 9 design guidelines and getting a $125,000 Livable Communities Initiative grant to do detailed planning along the highway. That grant is the first implementation piece that has come out of the completed plan.

"That's really putting that comprehensive plan into action," Tully said.

A few other things accomplished during her tenure was the tree ordinance completion and a film permit ordinance.

"And there's a lot more to come. I don't expect any slowdown while I'm gone," she said.

Tully had nothing but nice words for Milton residents and staff.

"What a pleasure it has really been to work with such a committed citizenry and a committed staff," she said.

She wanted to reassure city residents that things will continue to operate smoothly after she's gone.

"...Just assure everyone that the staff here in Milton is uniquely suited to fit the needs of this citizenry and they are just really great," Tully said.