WINDSOR – County Manager Morris Rascoe has announced his retirement after a lengthy service to Bertie County.

On Monday, Rascoe’s retirement was announced at the Bertie County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

“I just wanted to move on to new and different things,” Rascoe said in a phone interview.

He added there are no official plans in the works yet for retirement, but he does intend to spend time with his family and travel as well. Rascoe also may help with his brother’s lawn care business in Wake County.

His last day will be March 31.

Former Bertie County Manager John Whitehurst has been named interim county manager as the board begins the process find a permanent replacement.

Rascoe began his lengthy service to his native county more than 35 years ago when he started work as social worker. During his time with the county he has served in various positions, including Department of Social Services Director and Assistant County Manager simultaneously.

He was promoted to interim county manager in December 2011 following outgoing County Manager Zee Lamb. In mid-2012, Rascoe’s interim title was removed as the commissioners named him as their full-time manager.

“I’m still going to live in the community,” he said. “I’m going to miss the people, the workers and the day to day grind. I’ll miss the day to day contact with the public and I’ll miss working with the commissioners.”

Rascoe added he hopes to continue service to the several boards and committees that he currently serves on.

For many years he has been a member of the Choanoke Area Development Association of North Carolina, Inc. (CADA) Board of Directors.

In addition to CADA, Rascoe serves on the Board of Directors for Roanoke-Chowan Human Services, the Board for Choanoke Public Transportation Authority, the Region Q Workforce Development Board and the Board of the Bertie County Partnership for Children.

He was inducted in 2011 into the North Carolina Community Action Association’s Hall of Fame.

A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Rascoe is a recipient of the Bertie County NAACP Award and Elk’s Outstanding Member of the Year Award.

He added he intends to be more involved with his church, Cedar Landing Baptist in Windsor.

Rascoe said he hopes the county continues to move forward and expand.

“I hope it continues to maintain a good workforce and we’re able to continue to provide the necessary services the county’s citizens need,” he said.