Lukas, 42, submitted his resignation Wednesday that will be effective Feb. 19. He will take an administrator’s position in Brunswick, a city of more than 35,000 in Medina County south of Cleveland.
“It was the most difficult decision of my life,” Lukas said. “I was perfectly content to have retired from Franklin... I won’t deny it’s been pretty emotional for me the last few days.”
Lukas, who is originally from the Cleveland area, said it was an “excellent opportunity” for him and a chance to be close to some of his family members who are having health issues. His wife, Kathy, is a Buffalo, New York native with family near the Cleveland area.
He said his top achievements during his tenure was working with his city staff in making infrastructure improvements as well as bringing some stability to the city manager’s job.
Before coming to Franklin in late 1996 as assistant city manager, Lukas worked as an aide for Cleveland City Council while completing his studies at Cleveland State University.
Shortly after Lukas’ arrival, then-City Manager Sam Coxson resigned to be an international development consultant with the U.S. State Department, which elevated Lukas to interim city manager. In late January 1997, council hired Lukas as city manager.
A few years ago, he almost took a city manager’s job in the Phoenix area.
“I was surprised when he told us he was leaving voluntarily,” said Councilman Scott Lipps. “We wish him the best of luck.”
Lipps remembers Lukas when he started as a “a green rookie fresh out of school and he grew into the job. He plays things close to the vest and was always dependable. He’s not a risk-taker, but he always wanted to improve.”
Lipps said Lukas is “a friend and a great guy. As city manager, he held things together and did a great job.”
Judy Gilleland, Middletown’s city manager, remembers when Lukas first started in Franklin when she was working in Centerville.
“He’s done a great job moving Franklin forward,” she said. “I wish him the best of luck.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.
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