Mt. Jackson gets assistant town manager

Draper expected to eventually take over from Charles Moore

By Kaitlin Mayhew -- kmayhew@nvdaily.com

MT. JACKSON -- Clark W. Draper III is the new assistant town manager of Mt. Jackson after gaining unanimous approval by the Town Council at its Tuesday night meeting.

Council members voted 6-0 to appoint Draper, who currently serves as town manager of Scottsville, in Albemarle County.

The eventual plan is for Draper to take over as town manager when Charles Moore retires. The time frame for that, according to Draper is up to Moore.

"It could be six months, it could be the fall, it's just whenever he's ready to go," he said.

Moore has served as town manager of Mt. Jackson for 12 years. He attended Tuesday night's meeting, but did not comment on Draper's selection after the vote.

It was announced at an October council meeting that the town was putting out feelers for qualified applicants.

The application review process began in November.

An ad that ran in The Northern Virginia Daily stated that the town was seeking a person with at least five years minimum of experience in municipal government.

Draper worked in Scottsville for five and a half years. Part of that time he also served as a planner with Loudoun County.

His last day as town manager of Scottsville will be Friday, and his first official day in Mt. Jackson will be Feb. 27.

Councilman Neil Fadely introduced Draper at Tuesday's meeting.

"I know it's been a long hard search process and I hope you like Mt. Jackson," he said.

Draper said he has some familiarity with the area, and frequently drove through the Shenandoah Valley on the way to Harper's Ferry.

"I really like the area. When the opportunity arose I thought I'd throw my hat in," he said. "Fortunately, I was the one they chose."

Draper said that from what he can tell Moore has done a good job for the town, and he hopes to be able to continue in a similar direction once he retires.

"I'm going to try and maintain what he's been doing," he said. "[The town staff] seem like a good bunch to work with. The town seems to be really well run."

Draper has just recently found a home in Mt. Jackson, and hopes to be moved in by Feb. 27.