Director of Anniston's museums resigns

The Director of Annistons three museums announced her resignation Tuesday, A day after the Anniston City Council approved a plan to create a city department for Anniston’s two museums and botanical garden.  Cheryl Bragg sent a letter of resignation Tuesday morning to the Anniston Museum Complex Board, which oversees the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the Berman Museum and Longleaf Botanical Gardens.  Bragg is to retire May 1, according to the letter.  In her resignation letter Bragg said she had hoped to stay on as director until early 2016 to lead the Anniston Museum through a re-accreditation process and to help orient a new director to take her place. She said that, with the museum’s immediate transition to a department of the City of Anniston, it seems an appropriate time for her to step aside as these changes occur.  The City Council on Monday approved an ordinance to create a department of museum operations for all three facilities. City officials said Monday that the ordinance would help with the facilities’ operations, and clarify the legality of certain aspects of the museums’ functions.  The museums were set up years ago as city-owned nonprofits, which led to some confusion with regard to purchasing and other aspects of daily operations.