Senoia continues manager search

A decision on the selection of a new city manager for Senoia could come next week. The City Council is expected to discuss the hire during executive session portion of the Dec. 5 council meeting.

Up for a hiring decision are outgoing Peachtree City Senior Planner David Rast, law enforcement veteran Harold Simmons and Jefferson resident Richard Hampton.

The current applicants represent the second group of who interviewed for the job. Included in the first group, Phillip Claxton and Richard Bishop withdrew from the process due to personal reasons, according to interim City Manager Jason Edens.

“Prior to the top three candidates being published, the city had reviewed all applications and had selected six candidates to be interviewed. Those candidates were contacted and interviews conducted, of the six only five responded for the interview, leaving the city with five possible candidates. At this point the top three were published and two of the three withdrew from the process. At this point the remaining two candidates on the list moved into the top three,” Edens said.

Rast most recently served as Peachtree City Senior Planner. During his two decades with the city, Rast also served as city zoning administrator and landscape architect.

A long-time Senoia resident, Simmons is currently assistant police chief in Lake City and has 35 years in law enforcement. Simmons is also special assistant to the Lake City manager on issues regarding police operations and economic redevelopment.

Hampton through June was city manager in Donalsonville and has prior experience in city and county management positions in Jackson County, Stephens County, Sumter County, Morrow and Americus and has served with the Ga. Department of Community Affairs.

Councilman Jeff Fisher at a recent council meeting said he expected the hire announcement to be made in time for the city’s annual employee Christmas dinner later next week.

Former city manager Richard Ferry said this week he will continue to work with the city on some issues, including the budget, as long as the city needs him.