Battle Creek's cityscape has been shaped under a decade-long stewardship, and now, its chief architect, City Manager Rebecca Fleury, declared her plans to retire by the year's end, officials announced yesterday. A tenure marked by milestones, Fleury took office in October 2014, breaking ground as the first woman and now longest-serving city manager in the city's history, as mentioned in a WWMT report.
Rebecca Fleury reflected on her tenure with a sense of accomplishment, "I look around and see a different Battle Creek than when I started — something I’m proud to have been part of," Fleury stated, as per the City of Battle Creek. Her tenure envisioned not just ephemeral change, but the fabric of longevity, "There is much value in longevity and consistency in the city manager’s role, and I hope that the next city manager serves longer than me." Her exit strategy gives the city a generous timeframe, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 31, to chase her successor.
Mayor Mark Behnke spoke in recognition of Fleury's decade-long dedication, remarking on the impactful legacy she leaves behind. "Her efforts have placed our community in a position to continue to improve and grow," Behnke commended, expressing both personal and communal gratitude, "We thank her and her family for their hard work and dedication, and we wish her the best as she embarks on the next phase in her life", he shared, as per WWMT.
