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Boone Public Works Director Blake Brown Retires

By Jesse Wood

Nov. 21, 2013. Boone Public Works Director Blake Brown submitted a letter announcing his retirement this morning, Human Resources Director Peri Moretz confirmed Thursday.

worksBrownThis comes a week after the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant for his arrest on Friday, Nov. 15, for an incident that allegedly occurred on the afternoon of Nov. 7.

According to Sheriff Len Hagaman, Brown allegedly stopped a female driver at the intersection of Deerfield and Bamboo roads utilizing a blue light in his vehicle. Hagaman said the warrant was served after a High Country Crime Stopper tip was received. 

Hagaman stated in a release that the incident violated a state law regarding “unlawful installation, activation, operation, and possession [of] a blue light in or on said vehicle and not authorized by law to do so.” 

Brown, 58, was placed on a $2,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19.

Because the retirement system begins at the first of the month, Moretz said Brown’s retirement would be effective Dec. 1. 

Brown, who hasn’t responded to requests for comment, has been employed as the director of Public Works in the town since April 1, 1985, Moretz said, adding that while the department name changed, Brown’s position has essentially been the same.

Brown’s most recent salary was $92,602, according to Moretz.

Tuesday’s Boone Town Council agenda included the addition of a closed-session item concerned “legal issues related to personnel matters … and to hear a report concerning investigations of alleged criminal misconduct.”