By Valerie Baldowski
vbaldowski@henryherald.com

Stockbridge City Manager Ted Strickland will begin 2010 with a new assistant.

Monday, the Stockbridge City Council approved a two-year contract to hire Henry County Planning and Zoning Department Director Ray Gibson as assistant city manager. Gibson’s starting salary will be $70,000 annually, Strickland said.

Gibson’s last day with the county will be Dec. 31, and his first day working for the City of Stockbridge will be Jan. 4.

“My decision to leave the county, for a position at the City of Stockbridge, was to advance my career, and to take on new challenges,” said Gibson. “I have always worked well with the City of Stockbridge. I have attended their city council meetings on planning and zoning matters since my arrival at the county back in 2002. I have a great respect for the city, and look forward to working for the city council, Ted Strickland, and the citizens.”

Gibson, 37, has been the county’s planning and zoning director since 2005. He has worked in planning for almost 13 years.

Initially, the city had a list of 20 applicants for the position, Strickland said. Gibson was chosen from a short list of four candidates.

This marks the first time Stockbridge has had an assistant city manager. Strickland, who turns 77 later this month, said the position is needed as a back-up, in case he is unable to discharge his duties. “When I get ready to retire, we need somebody here who knows Henry County and Stockbridge,” he said. “Ray has done an outstanding job working with planning and zoning in Henry County.”

Gibson’s duties will mirror Strickland’s. “He’ll be doing much of the same thing I’ll be doing,” said Strickland. “If something happens to me, or I retire, he can move right in and have a knowledge of the city.”

In addition to Strickland, Gibson will work with the mayor, city council and the city’s water, sewer and maintenance departments. He will attend meetings in Strickland’s absence.

The assistant city manager also will play a role in drafting future city budgets, said Strickland.

After Gibson’s departure from the county, Cheri Hobson-Mathis, the county’s transportation planning and zoning director, will take over his duties, according to Gibson.