The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, June 26, 2002

PTC development guru Williams hired as Fairburn City Manager

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

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.