Roanoke Rapids Public Works Director Larry Chalker submitted his resignation effective Wednesday, city officials confirmed today.

Both City Attorney Geoffrey Davis and City Manager Kelly Traynham confirmed the resignation.

Chalker did not immediately respond to a text message today seeking comment.

Roanoke Rapids Human Resources Director Christina Caudle said Chalker was hired on July 1, 2009, as an equipment mechanic. On July 3, 2011, he was named property maintenance manager, followed by an appointment as interim public works director on August 22, 2011. He was officially named public works director on September 19, 2011.

Caudle said she was unable to release Chalker’s resignation letter because it is not a public record under state statutes.

Caudle explained that a resignation letter is considered part of the employee’s personnel file, which is considered confidential under NCGS 160A-168.  

Because of that, only the effective action — date of separation and reason why — is a public record.

However, a termination/dismissal letter is a public record. It is available for public inspection to ensure there is government accountability and transparency when the government entity takes dismissal action against a public worker.  

Since a resignation letter is a voluntary act by the employee to separate, then the document falls under the protections outlined in NCGS 160A-168, she said.

Doug Love will serve as interim director, Caudle said.