The Laurinburg City Council has tapped Harold Haywood to serve as interim city manager after Tuesday's announcement that City Manager Ed Burchins was stepping down.

Haywood serves as the city’s general services and purchasing director. He was sworn in Tuesday night.

Burchins announced his plans publicly after meeting briefly in closed session with members of city council.

The resignation is 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 to the city.

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

Burchins said he may continue working with the city as consultant on a number of projects he helped initiate.

Council members returned to meeting behind closed doors after Burchins’ announcement and were not available at presstime to talk about a possible severance package for Burchins.

Know how

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

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