By Valerie Baldowski
vbaldowski@henryherald.com

Hampton is looking for a new city manager.

In the post since March 2007, Jim Risher came to work for the last day on Thursday.

Hampton City Council members were notified in June of his intention to step down. “I’ve been planning this for a while,” Risher said.

Risher, 63, said his new schedule will allow him more time to spend with his family. His health was also a factor in his decision to resign, he said.

“I’ve got a few health issues to watch, so this is timely,” he said.

Risher said he is proud of the work accomplished in the city over the past several years, noting a number of public works projects, including streetscapes and the start of construction on the future Public Works Department building earlier this year. He said that under his tenure, the city launched the largest public works projects program in recent memory.

The city also started the design work on a future Public Safety Complex, said Hampton Mayor R.W. Coley, and began construction on a new city park on Caldwell Circle.

Coley said he was not surprised when Risher informed the council of his departure, but was sorry to see him leave.

“We always hate starting over,” said Coley. “Jim was very easy to work with.”

Coley said the city has advertised for a new city manager, and has received several applications. He said Hampton officials hope to fill the position by February.

“We haven’t gotten down to a selection point yet,” Coley added.

Before serving as Hampton’s city manager, Risher owned J.F. Risher & Associates, a development consulting firm. Risher said he began doing consulting work for Hampton in October 2006, before being hired as city manager.

Risher said he worked for the Henry County government for about 20 years, and served as Henry County manager from 1995 to 2002 before taking retirement. In 2000, Risher received the Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s W.L. Carter Distinguished Public Service Award. In 2004, he ran an unsuccessful bid for a state Senate seat.

Risher said he plans to continue his consulting work on a limited basis.