A Note of Gratitude
A Note of Gratitude After 20 Years in Manchester
To my friends and neighbors in Manchester,
It’s hard to believe that twenty years have passed since I first started as your City Manager. As I prepare to move on to my next chapter, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on everything we’ve been through together. I want to send out a huge, heartfelt thank you to the residents of Manchester, the City Councils, and our Mayors for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this community’s story.
The Memories That Stick With Me When I look back, it’s not just the big projects that come to mind, but the way this town handles a challenge. I’ll never forget the summer of 2010. That summer we went from seeing record flooding to hosting 10,000 RAGBRAI riders just 7 days later. That’s Manchester in a nutshell—we don’t just "get through" tough times; we show up, we clean up, and we welcome people with a smile.
Our Changing Landscape I am so proud of how our town has grown. From the evolution of our industrial park and downtown to the new residential neighborhoods, Manchester is thriving. We’ve worked together on street projects, water and sewer system upgrades, and new places to play like the dog park, the skate park, the whitewater park, and the pickleball courts.
However, the transformation of our riverfront is truly the "crown jewel." Thanks to the incredible volunteers with Manchester Good to Great, we stopped looking at the river as a liability and started seeing it as our greatest gift. Watching the whitewater park come to life and seeing people enjoy our downtown again has been one of the greatest joys of my career.
The Heartbeat of the City I want to take a moment to brag about the people who actually help this town run. I have been so lucky to lead a team that functions like a family. Whether it’s our Public Works and Parks crews out in every kind of weather to keep our streets clear and our parks beautiful, our Police and Fire departments keeping us safe, or our Library and Office staff providing essential services with a smile—they are all the backbone of this community. Every single one of them shows up with a common goal: to take care of Manchester. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work alongside; they are the ones who turn our city’s vision into a reality every day.
Final Thoughts Twenty years is a long time, but it feels like it went by in a blink. Thank you for trusting me to help lead this city for a little while. I’m walking away with a heart full of memories and a deep pride in what we’ve accomplished together. I can’t wait to see Manchester keep going from "Good to Great."
It’s been an honor.
With gratitude,
Timothy J. Vick
