Sarah Atkins
mnjreporter@gmail.com
After 27 years of working with and for the people of Spruce Pine, Darlene Butler seeks travel and adventure in retirement.
Butler has served the Town of Spruce Pine as Town Manager for the past four years. Before taking on that role, she worked as the Spruce Pine town clerk for 23 years. During that time, she continued her education, earning her certified and later master municipal clerk certifications.
“All of those certifications gave such a big picture of what has to happen in local government for things to go well,” said Butler. “So, when our long-term manager decided to step down, I felt like I was uniquely in a good position to apply, and I did.”
Butler says her time as town manager has taught her about patience, moderation and trying to do the right thing, as well as the scope of people who care about Spruce Pine.
“I think the best thing I’ve learned from my job is that the right team of people is out there,” Butler said. “I think I had put together that team by the time I retired. I learned that if you treat people well, they’re going to give you their very best, and I believe they have.”
Looking back on the work she did with her team, Butler recalled all the work they put into Spruce Pine’s recreation parks.
“We were particularly excited about what was going on in our parks, the improvements to Brad Ragan and Riverside, and the new park of Riverbend,” she said.
The parks sustained significant damage during Hurricane Helene. Though the town of Spruce Pine has put a heavy focus on improving the water and sewer systems, Butler looks forward to seeing the parks brought back.
“After this storm, you can’t replace people, the heritage loss, the businesses that are struggling, you can’t replace those things, but it’s a unique opportunity to build back better,” said Butler.
Butler also expressed gratitude for her department heads who have gone “above and beyond” and have stepped into roles that are bigger than where they started.
Not only is Butler leaving behind a team she is confident in, but she is leaving behind the legacy of being the first female town manager of Spruce Pine.
“I think that being the first female town manager was a step in the right direction,” said Butler. “Not because it was me necessarily, but because they consider the qualifications in all areas of [the role]. I think that’s a legacy for any town, to look deeper than race or sex or any of those things.”
Butler’s coworkers said she was an excellent manager who will be greatly missed.
“Over the past 15 years, Darlene has been a trusted friend, colleague, and mentor,” said Ella Edwards, Spruce Pine utility clerk. “She was a great town manager and her employees loved her. Her departure has left a void in the town of Spruce Pine. I hope she enjoys a relaxing and rewarding retirement and I wish her all the best.”
Now that she is retired, Butler plans to travel with her husband in their camper, visiting family, being outside and “wearing the wheels” off the camper.