Kristi Rapson is resigning

from her post as director of Peachtree City's Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater.

The resignation, which is effective

Nov. 30, was brought on by a difference of opinion between Rapson and

the Development Authority, which oversees the Amphitheater, Rapson said

Tuesday morning.

"When I originally took

on the job, it was without any limitations," Rapson said, adding

that she has had differences with the authority for a couple of years.

Rapson also said she felt the amphitheater's administration was becoming

more bureaucratic.

"I had more freedom at

the beginning," Rapson said. "... It was a hard decision to

make."

Tom Farr, chairman of the Development

Authority, said the authority was surprised by Rapson's resignation. He

said with Rapson's leadership, the amphitheater has made a lot of progress

over the years.

"To take it to where it

is now is a tremendous accomplishment and a lot of the credit for that

belongs to her," Farr said.

The authority wants to seek

applicants for the position, but the first goal is to create an appropriate

job description with Rapson's help, Farr said. Then, the position will

likely be advertised, perhaps locally at first, Farr added.

Rapson has been the facility's

director since October 1993 when the authority took over the facility.

She was responsible for instituting the summer concert series, which has

grown since its first year in 1994.

The amphitheater brought in

$1.14 million in revenue last year, a 26 percent hike compared to the

previous year, Rapson said.

Rapson said she is proud of

the amphitheater's accomplishments during her tenure, including the renovations

that took place at the facility. She is particularly pleased with the

success of the concert series, which had sold out its available sponsorships,

a rarity in the business, Rapson noted.

"The amphitheater is a

wonderful asset to Peachtree City," Rapson said.

Rapson said she plans to do

some private consulting work, particularly for other amphitheaters across

the country who have clamored for information on how to run their operation

as successfully as Peachtree City's.

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