WARSAW — With the departure of former town manager Jason Burrell, residents of Warsaw can still expect to see a familiar face when they go into the manager’s office. Tommy Combs has returned for his second term as interim town manager for the Duplin County town.

Combs stated that he had served for about seven months back in 2006 prior to Burrell’s tenure as manager and then stayed on to assist the new manager in getting familiar with his new position.

“I am excited to be back here. It is a chance for me to put my experience to good use,” said Combs. The interim manager has served other cities and towns other than Warsaw, having worked as interim in Atlantic Beach, Swansboro, Robbins and Elizabeth City. He served as city manager for Elizabeth City for 10 years and then returned later to serve as interim.

Clinton residents will remember that Combs served as city manager here before he retired. “It is something I really like doing. It makes me feel good and if I do a good enough job, I will soon be out of a job,” he said jokingly.

Warsaw Mayor Win Batten expressed his pleasure, as well as that of the town board’s, regarding Combs’ willingness to fill the interim position. “We are familiar with Tommy and he knows us. He has vast experiences in town government and understands how it operates. He has served us well in the past and we look forward to working with him again as we continue to operate the town as effectively as possible and as we seek a new town manager.”

Combs shared that he has only been on the job for a little over a week but has been looking over things to see what needs to be continued and will be taking a very active part in the day-to-day operations of Warsaw and will not be just filling a position. “Currently I am trying to see what needs to be kept going. A couple things that I already know will be the continued include renovation of the armory, continude efforts to upgrade housing and demolition of those deemed uninhabitable and proceeding with beautification and maintenance throughout the town. We have just taken bids on the water treatment plant and expansion of one of our wells,” said the interim manager.

With the experience that Combs brings into the position, he said he feels that he can provide a stable environment in which the town can run while searching for a new leader. “This position does not present me with anything I cannot handle. Thankfully I am very familiar with the mayor and the town board and they are with me. As a result of this familiarity, I am able to understand where their interests are in relation to Warsaw.”

Combs said he is also going to be involved in the selection process for the new manager as well. “I will be looking over the resumes as they come and assisting with conducting interviews. I will not, however, be selecting the new manager but will be utilizing my experience in helping the board find the best person for the position.”

Although Combs is familiar with most of those working for the town of Warsaw, he has a new police chief and a new public works director, that he has to get to know. “The new chief and director will be or have already been in place just a few days now. It will be a learning and working experience for all of us. I look forward to assisting them getting a great start as they join the Warsaw team.”

The mayor is uncertain how long the selection process will take but said he feels confident that town operations will be in good hands until it is made.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.