County’s Waste Management Chief Resigns : Personnel: Murry S. Cable, whose position was thought to be jeopardized by proposed merger, joins other high-level officials stepping down in wake of bankruptcy.

Murry S. Cable, director of Orange County’s Integrated Waste Management Department, resigned Thursday, joining the ranks of top officials who have left the county in the wake of its bankruptcy.

Cable’s resignation was effective immediately. No replacement was announced.

Before his resignation, it was widely rumored throughout the County Hall of Administration that Cable’s job would be eliminated if the county moves forward on a proposed merger of his department with the Environmental Management Agency.

In a resignation letter to Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy, Cable said he has “greatly enjoyed” his years at the county and “the fine staff” he has worked with. His letter did not disclose why he decided to step down, a county official said.

Cable, who was earning $111,675 annually, joins a group of high-level officials who have left positions with the county since it declared the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history on Dec. 6. Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron resigned and has since pleaded guilty to a variety of felony charges in connection with the financial debacle. County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider was dismissed.

R.A. (Burt) Scott, former director of the General Services Agency, and Russ Patton, former director of the Human Resources Department, announced their retirements earlier this year.

County Counsel Terry C. Andrus has announced his resignation but is continuing to head the office on a contract basis until a replacement can be found.

Cable could not be reached for comment Thursday.

First employed by the county in 1973 as an administrative assistant, Cable rose through county ranks over the years. He worked as a contract administrator of medical services in the Human Services Agency, as director of John Wayne Airport and as assistant county administrative officer.

In 1992, he was appointed director of the county’s Integrated Waste Management Department.

In recent years, however, Cable seemed to lose favor among members of the Board of Supervisors. He was one of only three department heads who did not receive a pay raise last October. At one point after the bankruptcy, Schneider was lobbying for Cable’s job.

Later, Cable was accused of “abusive behavior toward women” in a grievance letter filed with the county by former Finance Director Eileen T. Walsh. In past weeks, he has been absent from many meetings of county department heads.

Nonetheless, a county press release about Cable’s resignation cited his “outstanding career” with the county.