According to the City press release, Jones' accomplishments included:

"...Council adoption of Ten Year Financial Planning, the reconfiguration of the organizational structure to include a Neighborhood Services Department and Capital Services Department, establishment of several organizational change task forces, including establishment of a Mission, Vision and Values statement for the organization, a focus on Customer Service, introduction of Outcome Based Budgeting, and establishment of Board & Commission work plans to name a few."

Other notable accomplishments include peacefully bringing local Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds together, curtailing global warming, and pretending to like every Councilor he's worked under.

As some will recall, Jones came on board as Assistant City Manager several years ago during a time when former City Manager Tom Lando was still transitioning out.

Lando stayed on longer than some expected, but ultimately Jones took over the City Manager job in early 2006. Jones has clearly been focusing on improving internal processes and staff development.

Unfortunately, time will tell whether his initiatives will be carried on without him under new leadership. It usually takes years for internal reforms to demonstrate measurable results.

There will be plenty of articles about this breaking story. I'll offer more in-depth commentary later.

Here is the press release announcing Jones’ resignation and a past News & Review article profiling Jones when he assumed the Chico City Manager job.

While Jones still has seven weeks before his last working day at the City, here is my musical tribute to him:

Photo credit: Thomas Del Brase, News & Review

Today's Scrabble word is kris, a short sword.