BUCKHANNON – Buckhannon’s horticulturist is moving on from his position, but the municipality’s reputation as “the city of flowers” isn’t going anywhere, mayor David McCauley said Thursday at city council.

Council formally accepted Barbor’s resignation and approved an advertisement for a position and job description for a new horticulturist.

Barbor is resigning from his post after seven years July 26 to accept another job in the private sector.

McCauley read a prepared statement acknowledging Barbor’s key role in cultivating Buckhannon’s reputation as the “city of flowers” across the Mountain State.

“We won’t replace Rob, but we’ll end up hiring another contributor to our excellent staff,” McCauley said. “During the past 25 years, Buckhannon has become known throughout West Virginia because of our flowers and landscaping. Every year, we all wait to see what Rob will have next.”

McCauley said the flowers in Buckhannon won’t die when Barbor ends his tenure with the city.

“Before Rob, we had Donnie Tenney, and before Donnie, there was Bob Braine,” the mayor continued. “Buckhannon remains committed to being the ‘city of flowers,’ and we will earnestly seek to maintain the high quality of our every expanding horticulture program.

“We are sad to lose Rob, but we are happy that he will be staying in our area with his new job, and he will continue to be a contributor and be available to consult with us on forthcoming projects. Just today, Rob and his crew were working on new landscaping along the Route 20 North entrance to Buckhannon. Rob has told us very clearly that he wants our programs that he has taken to the next level to continue to grow and succeed.

“All will continue to be well in Buckhannon with all things landscaping,” McCauley concluded.

According to a copy of the advertisement and job description, the horticulturist is responsible for establishing and maintaining a current, comprehensive map of all flower and landscape installations and develop new ones.

The city is preferably seeking someone with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, biology, botany, environmental science or a related field. In addition, the person must be able to maintain a “sub-website … highlighting the past, current and future plans for [the city’s horticulture and landscaping program.”

Candidates must be able to pass a drug test and criminal background check, and as noted, candidates with horticulture-related bachelor’s degrees will be given first consideration. Letters of interest any resumes or other supporting materials must be hand-delivered to city hall by Friday, Aug. 23, but if mailed, postmarked no later than Saturday, Aug. 24 and addressed to McCauley or finance and administrative director Amberle Jenkins, City Hall, 70 E. Main St.

Anyone with questions should contact McCauley or Jenkins at 304-472-1651. Council hopes to select a candidate at its Sept. 5 meeting and would ideally like the new horticulturist to commence work Oct. 1, 2019.