Brown is interim manager

Deputy County Manager Tony Brown assumed the county’s top post Monday, when he became the county’s interim manager.

Brown is filling the post vacated by Matthew Delk, whose last day on the job was Friday.

Delk resigned from his post in September and announced plans to move to Union County, where he assumed the duty of assistant county manager on Monday.

In making his announcement, Delk cited personal reasons for the move.

“The main reason that my wife and I made this decision, we’ve had a lot of personal and family issues we’ve had to deal with,” he said recently. “We lost my wife’s father, we lost an infant child this year, and we just wanted to really get back closer to our families.”

Although Union County isn’t home, he said it’s just an hour and a half drive away from home, as opposed to a six-hour drive now. His resignation comes almost exactly six years after he assumed the duties of county manager.

Last week, Halifax County Board of Commissioner J. Rives “Judge” Manning said the board has not actively started its search for a permanent replacement, but he said board members are in no hurry.

“We’ve got a good man in there now as interim,” he said. “Tony has served in the position before, when Matthew was away for training or out of town. He’s well qualified. We’re not in any hurry.

“We’ve got to decide what we want, what criteria and qualifications we’re looking for, and then start advertising. As of yet, we have not done that, we have not picked anybody. We’ve picked an interim, and that’s as far as we’ve gone right now…. We’re not in any hurry. We’re going to work to get the best qualified person for the job.”

Brown said he was happy to take on the role of interim county manager.

“I look forward to the challenge of continuing the positive changes that are occurring in Halifax County and ensuring that the county does not miss a beat in addressing the many issues we continue to face.”

In addition to Brown’s appointment, the commissioners have also named Linda Taylor, Halifax County finance director, as interim deputy county manager, to assist Brown with the business of the county and to fill in for him in his absence.