With a throng

of well-wishers ranging from developers to concerned citizens, Peachtree

City officials hosted a "retirement" party last week for Jim

Williams, the city's director of developmental services who is leaving

to become Fairburn's city manager.

City Manager

of Peachtree City Jim Basinger said Williams was instrumental in continuing

the updates to the city's master plan "and making sure it was followed."

"He got

more green space, more landscape, more of everything that was good for

the city," Basinger said, referring to Williams' arm-twisting of

developers that benefited both them and city residents.

Although Williams

caught flak for being in favor of projects he presented to the planning

commission and city council, he worked tirelessly with developers to improve

those projects beforehand "so they were worthy of something he could

recommend," Basinger said.

City Planner

David Rast, speaking for the developmental services staff, thanked Williams

for his dedicated service and for the trust he places in them to "finish

out" Peachtree City.

Former Mayor

Bob Lenox also spoke, thanking Williams for "making me look good."

When Williams

took to the podium, he said the credit really belonged to the city's teamwork

on overseeing development projects, from planning and engineering to the

building inspection process.

"I'm leaving

them in very good hands," Williams said, adding that although he

hated to leave, "I'm going to something major" in Fairburn.

Mayor Steve

Brown read a proclamation making it "James B. Williams Day"

in Peachtree City. Brown also noted that a tree in his honor would be

planted outside City Hall with a corresponding plaque to recognize his

service.

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