For Billie Trump, City of Beckley is a song by the Eagles

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — On Monday, July 1, 2024, a retired Beckley Fire Chief and City Treasurer was installed as the City of Beckley’s first City Manager.

Billie Trump was appointed interim city manager by Mayor Rob Rappold and took office just days after leaving the City of Beckley.

Ryan Neal, who was sworn in as mayor of Beckley on Monday, said a search committee convinced Trump to come out of retirement and take over as city manager until a permanent candidate could be selected.

When asked on Monday, the mayor said he doubted Trump would be interested in serving as city manager permanently.

Trump agreed.

“I’m trying to retire and I hope I can do that,” Trump said. “At one of the events I was at, a young lady came up to me and said, ‘You kind of remind me of the song ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles. You know, you can check out, but you can never leave.'”

He said the Beckley City Council will likely appoint a new candidate within a few months after the committee selects a candidate.