Arnold loses its community development director and controller

Arnold is beginning the new year with two vacant offices at city hall.

Council has accepted the resignations of longtime employee Rick Rayburg, currently the city’s community development director, and city Controller Toni Montemurro. Neither attended Tuesday’s council meeting, when their resignations were accepted.

While Mayor Shannon Santucci and council were anticipating Rayburg’s retirement, Montemurro’s resignation was unexpected.

City Clerk Mario Bellavia said Montemurro, who has been controller for 10 years, also worked for a local company that was recently sold and the new owner doesn’t allow its employees to hold a second job.

Rayburg has been a city employee for 45 years, according to Santucci. He started with the city as a code enforcement officer fighting to stem blight in city neighborhoods.

Rayburg eventually succeeded Tom Dunn as community development director, a position where he oversaw the acquisition and use of hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal Community Development Block Grant funds allocated to the city.

“He’s been a pillar in the community for a lot of years,” Santucci said.

City Solicitor Jacqueline Shaw said, “I think he’s a pretty incredible person, and I’m sorry to see him go.”

There was no discussion on how the positions will be filled.