In a surprise announcement, City Manager Ed Burchins said that Tuesday was his last day as Laurinburg's top administrator.

The resignation was announced after a brief closed session Tuesday night with the Laurinburg City Council. It was effective at midnight on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old Burchins, who came to Laurinburg in July 2009, cited personal reasons for his departure. He declined to elaborate.

"It is something I brought to council's attention about three weeks ago," Burchins said. "I have some personal issues to deal with and to deal with them effectively, it is not possible to do that and do a sufficient job here. I thought it would be in the best interest of the city to move forward and find a new manager."

Burchins added that he would miss the job. Council presented Burchins with a plaque for his service.

"I really enjoyed working for the city of Laurinburg," he said. "The mayors and council members have been nothing but a pleasure to work with. All our department heads and city employees did a great job and I know they will continue to do so.

"I love this job, love this area and want to see Laurinburg become everything it can be. Unfortunately things come along that you have to deal with."

The council had not named an interim city manager at presstime. Council members began meeting again behind closed doors after Burchins announcement.

Before taking the city manager job here, Burchins worked as a senior vice president for Springsted Incorporated, a public sector advisory firm.

Burchins also served as city manager for Newton, for nearly a decade. He also served as manager for Murfreesboro, Elkin, Washington and Florence, S.C.

At the time that Burchins was hired, then Mayor Matthew Block praised the selection.

“What makes Mr. Burchins so exciting a pick for our city is that he would never say ‘been there, done that,” Block wrote in his weekly column. “What set Mr. Burchins above the rest of the crowd is that even with all the experience, he conveys a passion for what he does. Mr Burchins brings to Laurinburg a proven track record of innovative and successful community development, racial sensibility and good ole management know how.”

Burchins is a native of Delhi, NY.

Burchins initially said that he hoped his tenure in Laurinburg would be a long one.

“Some of my greatest mistakes have come from leaving for a bigger place,” Burchins said in 2009. “It is like painting a canvass. You can paint this beautiful picture or you can leave with a quarter of it completed. There have been times when I wish I had stayed and completed the picture.”