West Chester’s new leader lured by township’s reputation

West Chester Twp.’s status as one of the best places to live lured its new township administrator, Larry Burks, here, and he said he intends to keep the township on top.

Burks has spent his entire life in Nebraska but now he is picking up his family of four and moving them to Ohio so he can head the community named one of Money magazine’s “best places to live.”

When he was browsing for new jobs that was something that stood out for him, he told the Journal-News during an interview this week while he made a brief visit to the area.

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“West Chester’s location and it’s demographic and its history of sound performance management attracted me to the community…,” he told the Journal-News. “I started to do a little more homework, I read the job posting and learned about the great history of quality of life here.”

Burks signed his contract on Thursday and will begin work Feb. 1. He’ll be making $135,000 annually.

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He said residents should know he won’t be just a behind-the-scenes leader.

“In the community, you have to maintain that relationship,” he said. “Building a good strong relationship starts with face to face. An email from me isn’t going to cut it.”

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