Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Jim Buice
For the Clemmons Courier

Scott Buffkin, who was hired five years ago as the new manager for the Village of Clemmons, resigned his position effective Friday, Jan. 14.

Clemmons Mayor Mike Rogers and the Clemmons Village Council made the announcement in a press release, which followed a special called council meeting last Friday morning, that stated Buffkin submitted his resignation for personal reasons.

“Village council wishes great success in the years to come for Scott and his family, and thanks him for his dedication to the Village of Clemmons,” Rogers said in the release.

When asked for further comment about Buffkin, Rogers said, “That’s my statement. The privacy of the employee is of the utmost importance to the village.”

The release added that Buffkin will be remembered for managing the village through a global pandemic and assembling a first-class management team that will continue to work diligently for Clemmons.

Buffkin, 52, could not be reached for comment.

The council appointed Assistant Village Manager Mike Gunnell to serve as interim city manager as a search begins for Buffkin’s replacement.

“Mike has years of experience leading and advising the village’s departments and boards,” Rogers said in the release. “I’m excited for his leadership to ensure a smooth transition and take the lead in guiding staff to execute the vision of this council and community.”

Rogers, who was elected mayor in November and sworn in to the position in December, said that Mary Cameron and Bradley Taylor will be heading up the search committee for the council through the Piedmont Triad Regional Council.

“It will be an ongoing process and then putting out an ad soon,” Rogers said. “There’s no time frame. It’s just a matter of finding the right person.”

Cameron said that Buffkin’s resignation could have been part of a regular meeting but that he asked for the special called meeting.

“We thanked him for what he has done for the village, and he has done a lot,” Cameron said. “The village has flourished, and he has been a big part of that.”

Buffkin came to Clemmons early in 2017 to replace Larry Kirby, who retired after being employed by Clemmons for 28 years, including the last two as manager following 26 years as the public works director.

Buffkin was town manager for Jonesville in Yadkin County for nine years before coming to Clemmons. Prior to Jonesville, Buffkin served as the town manager of Maggie Valley from 2000 to 2004 and as the city manager of King from 2004 to 2007.

Buffkin holds a master of public affairs degree from Western Carolina and a bachelor of science degree in political science with a concentration in town administration, city and county management from Appalachian State.