Burien Deputy Mayor Joan McGilton told the Times/News last week she assumes a national search will be conducted to find a replacement for City Manager Gary Long.

Long, who has served as Burien’s city manager since October 1998, announced on Dec. 12 that he will leave his post effective Jan. 1.

"I have consulted with the council members who will remain seated in January,” he said at that time. “They have indicated they prefer to select new management in 2006."

Long added he has worked out a transition agreement with the city council.

Mayor Noel Gibb thanked Long for his seven years of service to Burien.

"Gary has been very successful in moving Burien forward.... Our parks, streets, neighborhoods and downtown revitalization with the Town Square project have all been major improvements on his watch. We will always remain grateful for his creativity and leadership."

The November election of political newcomer Sue Blazak, who defeated Gibb, and former Councilwoman Rose Clark’s win over Councilman Stephen Lamphear -- coupled with McGilton’s re-election -- are expected to change the complexion of the new council.

Councilwoman Sally Nelson also won re-election. Holdover council members are Lucy Krakowiak, Jack Block Jr. and Gordon Shaw.

Although some concern has been expressed since the election that the new council could make changes in Burien’s Town Square project, McGilton said it “absolutely” will continue as planned.

“We have all the contracts in place for it to continue in its present timeline that Urban Partners [the city’s private developer in the project] has given us,” added McGilton, who some expect will become the city’s next mayor.

“Gary Long has done a wonderful job” as city manager, she declared. He is the one who “implemented the Burien vision. We are where we are today because of Gary Long.”

Long also anticipated no change in direction on the Town Square project.

“From everything I know ... the new council will want to remain on the same journey [the council has] been on since 1997 when we adopted our comprehensive plan,” Long noted.

He said his original plan was to leave in September 2007 with planning for Town Square wrapped up, but the council already has completed its approval of the project.

Work on a facility for a new Burien City Hall and King County Regional Library, which will anchor Town Square at the corner of Southwest 152nd Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest, is expected to begin next year.

“We’ve wrapped up the Town Square deal. The deal’s together, and now I can leave,” he said.

Long's transition agreement with the council lasts for six months and provides limited consulting hours during that period.

He expressed satisfaction with the terms of his departure and his settlement package.

“In this form of government, you serve at pleasure of the council, Long said. “I understand that.”

Declaring that he prepares to leave with “not one” regret or disappointment, Long observed, “There is still a great deal of undone work in the transformation of Burien, of course, but cities get transformed over generations.”

On the other hand, Long declined to point to his greatest success.

“I look at cities as quilt work, so the schools are as important to me as Town Square,” he said. “Parks and libraries and neighborhoods are as important as downtown and First Avenue. It all has to work together.”

Without good public safety, Long said, nothing happens.

He also praised Burien’s lawmakers, calling this “the most extraordinary council I’ve served with in 36 years.

“They have never wavered in their vision. They have never walked away from a tough vote when necessary.”

McGilton said she has no handle on a timeline for finding a replacement.

“Gary only announced on Monday, so we’re still beginning the transition stage,” she said.

Senior city staff, who in Burien’s form of municipal government are appointed by the city manager, should not be concerned about their jobs, McGilton added.

“I have the highest respect for our city staff,” she said.

“We have in Burien been incredibly fortunate. [The council] has a strong working relationship with staff. We have the same goal in mind -- to make Burien a better place.

“We will move forward in a thoughtful, well-reasoned manner,” she said.