By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
George Adair is giving up his position as manager of Hartselle Utilities to accept a similar position with the city of Lake Worth, Fla., effective Jan. 2, 2005.
Adair told his staff of his plans to leave last week and then submitted a letter of resignation to board chairman Buzz Howell.
In his new position, Adair will have the title of director of utilities and assistant city manager. He will have responsibility for managing electric, water and sewer departments.
Howell said a search for Adair's replacement is under way.
"We are advertising over the internet and in leading trade magazines," he said. "We should be in a position to start interviews in four to six weeks."
Adair said his decision to leave was made with mixed emotions.
"Hartselle is home to us. We raised our daughter here and we have developed many friendships. It's the greatest place I can think of to raise a family. Also, I hate to leave the good people with whom I have had the privilege to work," he pointed out.
He added, "We feel like this is a great opportunity for me. It will be a lot of hard work. They have plans to spend $20 million to upgrade their electric system and also to undertake major expansions in water and sewer services. But I look forward to the challenge."
Howell said Adair's decision to leave was not unexpected.
"He and I had talked about the opening there and the possibility of him accepting it. I want the best for him and I'm happy for him, but I hate to see him go. He has done a tremendous job during the five years he has been here," he said.
Adair said he feels good about the improvements that have been made in electric, gas, water and wastewater infrastructure during his tenure. He pointed out that a reconducturing project and substation upgrades have improved electric service reliability and is paying off through reduced overtime. Water service has been improved with the addition of two storage tanks and the replacement of old water mains. The rehabilitation of old sewer mains has been advanced with the help of federal matching grants totaling $2.5 million,
He said the biggest challenges facing the new manager will be to keep rates down in face of increased costs and to fund necessary capital improvements.