Mayor Fred Turnage might not have a lot of authority in an official capacity outside of Rocky Mount, but his reputation as a leader stretches far beyond city limits.

State leaders talked about their impressions of the outgoing mayor, who will leave office after 34 years of service.

Former Gov. Jim Hunt said there are three things that impress him about Turnage.

"One, he cares about all people," Hunt said. "Second, he's always had a big plan for Rocky Mount's people. Third, he works his head off."

Hunt had kind words for both Turnage and his wife, Norma, whom Hunt appointed to the N.C. State Board of Education.

"I just consider them to be the finest in public leadership that our state has ever had," he said. "In my 16 years as governor, I didn't know any officials that served more effectively than Fred Turnage."

Hunt said one of his clearest memories of the long-term mayor is from the aftermath of the 1999 flood, when Turnage was speaking up for his people and pushing to get more help.

"It was typical Fred Turnage, but it was one of the moments when he served his community best," Hunt said.

N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper said Turnage has led Rocky Mount through its darkest hours and, because of his leadership, the city emerged even stronger after the flood.

"He's been Rocky Mount's ambassador of good will for over three decades, and that's important not only across the state but across the country," Cooper said. "He will be missed."

One of the things that U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-1st District, most clearly remembers is Turnage inside the command center in City Hall after the flood.

"He was calm, giving the support with his sleeves rolled up," the congressman said. "It was hot that day because there was no power. It was a hot, sweaty September day, and he was giving the kind of strong leadership that you would expect."

Etheridge met Turnage through Turnage's wife when she was on the N.C. State Board of Education and the congressmen was then the state superintendent. Etheridge said the mayor has a "steady hand" for leadership.

"He helped give the strong leadership, to give people a sense of community, but also a sense that we could rebuild and have a stronger community after we had lost so many jobs and so much had been lost in the community," Etheridge said.

N.C. Rep. Angela Bryant, D-Nash, said Turnage never lost his ability to get a crowd excited when he walked in a room.

"I don't feel like people ever took him for granted, and I don't know how he managed to accomplish that," said Bryant, a former Rocky Mount councilwoman. "I guess he's been there so long, he was just good at it; that's all I can say."

Bryant also pointed to personal experiences with Turnage that stuck with her, such as when the mayor attended her mother's funeral in December and gave Bryant a hug.

"It made me feel a lot of comfort and joy," she said.

Wilson Mayor C. Bruce Rose said he does not have just one favorite memory about Turnage, whom he described as a "true statesman."

The two men serve on the Board of Directors for ElectriCities of North Carolina.

"Everything I've known about him is favorite to me," he said. "He's a super nice fellow."

Officials also said they knew what kind of action Turnage's successor should take.

"I'm sure they'll come up with their own ideas and thoughts on things, but I'm sure whoever it is ... if he would seek Mayor Fred Turnage's advice when the chips are down, Mayor Fred Turnage can guide him out and something good will take place," Rose said. "If I was following him, I would certainly seek his advice because I know he's so knowledgeable on everything."

Hunt said the best qualities Turnage's successor can possess are the ones that the current mayor has: Care for the people, have a plan for the future and work your head off.

"It's the best way his heritage can be carried on," Hunt said.