Jim Williams,

one of the persons most responsible for attracting quality development

to Peachtree City, plans to leave his post as the city's director of developmental

services next month.

Williams, a

15-year city employee, has accepted the job of city manager at Fairburn,

following ex-Peachtree City Clerk Nancy Faulkner, who now serves as Fairburn's

clerk. His departure from Peachtree City leaves City Planner David Rast

as the heir apparent to oversee the city's development and anticipated

redevelopment of older areas.

Williams said

he was asked to apply for the position and he decided he could have an

affect on attracting quality development to Fairburn.

"There's

going to be an explosion in south Fulton," Williams said. "It

could be an advantage to Fairburn."

Williams originally

planned to work in Peachtree City another year or two "before I put

my feet up and relaxed" but the opportunity to help Fairburn was

too much for him to pass up.

He's not worried

about Peachtree City's fate either. First off, development is slowing

down and secondly the city has a great staff to tackle the task.

"One of

the things I've tried to do here is have a really good team in place,"

Williams said. "But the development era here is just about over."

Williams said

his decision to leave Peachtree City was not based on "any negative

feelings" whatsoever.

"I feel

pretty good about things. I feel I have left a good situation," Williams

said, noting that the City Council and Planning Commission will keep a

watchful eye on new developments.

He also recognized

that the job in Fairburn comes along with an increased workload. But Williams

seems ready for it.

"It's

the kind of work I really enjoy doing," Williams said. "And

when you enjoy your job, it doesn't seem quite as burdensome."

Williams leaves

Peachtree City on a high note as the gigantic Wal-Mart/Home Depot site

prepares to open within months. The stores, which combine for well over

200,000 sq. ft. "don't jump out at you," Williams said, attributing

the success to the work of a number of people.

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