MORGANTOWN — Kim Haws officially introduced himself as Morgantown’s new city manager on Tuesday.
During the closing minutes of Morgantown City Council’s regular meeting, Haws officially took over the position of city manager giving his first remarks while holding the position. In his opening statement he thanked the now former Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli who held the post for the majority of 2020 in the midst of several meddling issues.
“I have a deep appreciation for the load that is seems has come off of Emily’s shoulders since I came on today,” said Haws during the meeting. “Not that I have taken that much off of her load but I think it helps to be able to share that load,” he said.
Haws, was selected by Morgantown City Council in October and will follow former City Manager Paul Brake as the next person to hold the position in a non-interim capacity. Before taking the post in Morgantown, Haws was Bridgerport’s city manager for 20 years, with his local experience a key factor in wanting him to come aboard. Haws, stated that the attitude of members of council made the decision to take the job very easy to make.
“I must say that I’m really impresssed with the sense of familiy and the sense of comradery that I sense there,” he said. “And I’m really looking to the time together,” he said.
Now that Haws is offcially Morgantown’s city manager, there will be several tasks around the city that would need his input. Some of those include, but are not limited to, budget concerns in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, development of the Morgantown Municipal Airport, continued redevlopment of Downtown Morgantown and a City Parks and Rec program with several major projects expected in the near future. For Haws, he feels that Morgantown has the people in place to make it go far.
“I just think that there’s real opportunity here for us to do some great things altogether and I look forward to doing that,” he said.
While Haws officially takes over as Morgantown City Manager, former Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli resumes her role as Assistant City Manager. Muzzarelli, will bring over precious local experience to assist Haws with her recent efforts involving the Diamond Village Encampment as a highlight to her abilities. As Morgantown City Council praised Muzzarelli’s efforts, it appears that Haws will be welcomed with open arms.
“I think we have a great staff and a promising future I think, as we move forward,” said Morgantown City CouncilOr Bill Kawecki.