BECKLEY, W.Va. — Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold ends his last term in office Sunday after serving more than 30 years in city government.
Rappold who has served two 4-year terms as mayor since 2016, told MetroNews he’s ready to retire and spend more time with his wife and family.
“You get to my age, I’m not so sure that I was up for another campaign and frankly up for another four years. That’s kind of what drove the decision,” said Rappold, who turns 77 this week.
Among Rappold’s greatest accomplishments was amending the city’s non-discrimination policy to include those in the LGBTQ community in 2019. The mayor also said he’s proud of spearheading the purchase of the former Black Knight Country Club in 2018 and launching construction of multi-million dollar police and fire stations.
Rappold previously served as a member of the Beckley Common Council for 22 years and as the city Treasurer/Recorder for two years before running for mayor.
For well over 100 years, the city operated under a strong mayor form of government. In January, the Beckley Common Council voted to change that and shift to a city manager form of government.
Rappold has supported the change since he took office. Last week, he appointed city Treasurer/Recorder Billie Trump to serve as the interim city manager while a search for a permanent city manager continues.
Rappold said the city manager is someone who can dedicate more time, has more experience and skills in a number of areas that can help improve the city after he’s gone.
“You might have a strong mayor who is popular who has no idea what’s going on. The city manager form of government, which I promised to address head-on, during my first or second term as mayor eases that concern,” he said.
The toughest part about leaving Beckley City Hall is the people he works with every day.
“I’ve worked with great people. One thing that I’m really proud of is, as far as department heads go in eight years, I’ve never had a department head leave other than through retirement,” he said.
Beckley business owner Ryan Neal was appointed as the new mayor. Neal, who begins the job July 1, will be the first to ever serve as more of a ceremonial mayor in the city and not take the lead on making many major council decisions.
Officially appointing a new city manager will require a vote by council.