Freed from the myriad responsibilities of running a city, former Burien City Manager Gary Long plans to engage in two popular hallmarks of retirement -- boating and traveling.

Long envisions owning a "weekender" boat -- something he can sail around Puget Sound.

He also wants to take two major trips a year to far-flung places around the world.

"I have a passion about travel," Long declared. "So far, I've only seen 20 to 30 per cent of the globe."

But it won't all be relaxation for Long.

According to the terms of his transition agreement with the Burien council, Long will provide 16 hours of consultation with the city this month and another 16 hours next month. From March through June, he will advise eight hours each month.

The former city manager also plans to consult other agencies on "complex public projects that need vision."

Long's last day as city manager was Dec. 31.

He announced last month he would leave his city manager post. At that time, he said, “I have consulted with the council members who will remain seated in January. They have indicated they prefer to select new management in 2006."

Long had told council members six months ago that he planned to leave in September 2007 when planning for Town Square was wrapped up and he had turned 63.

Mayor Noel Gibb and two-term Councilman Stephen Lamphear, two of Long's strongest allies on the council, were defeated in November by political newcomer Sue Blazak and former Councilwoman Rose Clark.

Councilwoman Sally Nelson was re-elected.

Rounding out the new council are holdover members Lucy Krakowiak, Jack Block Jr. and Gordon Shaw.

Long is philosophical about his early departure.

"That's the deal. You serve at the pleasure of the council," he observed. "You don't worry about it. You move on and stay affirmative."

Long served as city manager in Lake Stevens before coming to Burien on Oct. 12, 1998. Before returning to his native Puget Sound area, Long had spent 18 years working for the city of Eugene, Oregon.

He declines to point to a single major accomplishment in Burien.

"The city is not one thing," Long noted. "A bunch of things have to happen. Passage of a school bond is as important as building a town square."

He pointed to improvement in neighborhoods. development of commercial areas and maintenance of public safety as important components of a successful city.

Boosting the city's park land by 20 per cent with the acquisition of 50 to 60 acres was also meaningful, according to Long.

New park land ranged from the Branson property on the city's western waterfront to wetlands at Des Moines Memorial Drive and South 176th Street near the eastern border.

Long said he did not give a recommendation on a proposal to designate the North Highline area as a Potential Annexation Area.

"There isn't a right or wrong answer. However, there are serious consequences that are as important as the decision the voters made to incorporate in 1993."

Burien lawmakers decided Dec. 19 to delay action until the new council takes office.

Long stated at the council meeting that he did not see a practical funding solution to full annexation.

"However, the most expensive option is to walk away from the table and let Seattle decide all the issues."

But, he added, "Burien enjoys services that will go away" if North Highline is annexed by Seattle.

"Police and fire services would deteriorate. Water and sewer agencies will be cut up. These are essential public health and safety services. The City Council and community must be at the table to influence an acceptable outcome,” Long noted.

"Whatever happens in North Highline will finish the incorporation decision of 1993. It will define the tax burden of Burien’s finances and public health and safety costs for as long as the city remains."

Burien contracts with King County for police services and the North Highline Fire District serves Shorewood, Hazel Valley and Cedarhurst neighborhoods. Water District 20 serves north Burien and over half of North Highline.

According to Long, North Highline fire and police officers are Burien’s first response to more than twenty percent of the city's emergency calls.

They also back up Burien police and firefighters on any significant emergency calls.

Burien and North Highline police share a police precinct building in Burien.

Long isn't convinced Burien residents would oppose annexation of part of North Highline after a thorough discussion.

"Especially if it costs less and protects people better than staying in Burien’s current boundaries," Long added.

He pointed to an early survey of 1,500 Burien residents. About 40 per cent opposed annexation, 30 per cent favored it, and 30 per cent had no opinion. l

Usually 60 per cent say no," Long observed. "I was surprised and so was the survey consultant."

Concluded Long, "When faced with school and library elections and annual fire levies, Burien’s voters have done the right thing to make sound business decisions on public services.

“I believe they will support being at the table to define an option that best serves Burien for generations ahead.”

The departing city manager added that he enjoyed meeting and working with the North Highline community.

“They are mostly like us,” he said. “They work hard and want a community that feels and looks a lot like the community we are creating here in Burien.”