County Administrator Don Posey will retire from his post Dec. 20, leaving behind a career serving Oktibbeha County residents under five different boards of supervisors.
Posey, who became county administrator in 1996, told the Dispatch he wishes he was “10 years younger so I could work for 10 more years.” He submitted his retirement notice to each of the county’s five supervisors and the board clerk.
Board President Orlando Trainer said he has not spoken to other supervisors about the upcoming transition, but a public search will begin in earnest after Posey’s last day.
“This has been the hardest decision that I have ever made, and I hope and pray that everyone will understand that I am leaving before I become a nuisance or incompetent at my job,” Posey wrote in the letter. “I only wish I was little younger, but if I am going to do what I want to do and enjoy my twilight years, I must go now.
“I have always considered myself a servant to the citizens of Oktibbeha County. I have loved every day of my time with the county and quite frankly don’t know that I will be able to adjust to not being around all the wonderful people that I work with and some that I have grown to love dearly,” his letter continues. “I have been able to do things, go places and meet people that I would not have on my own. I have truly been blessed to have been able to serve the five different boards that I have served.”
“Don did an excellent job in his position, and he was always a mild-mannered guy. If you couldn’t deal with Don Posey, you just couldn’t deal with anybody,” Trainer said. “He’ll be a great loss for the county, but I understand him wanting to go into a new phase of his life. That’s a great thing for him to be able to make the move and do it in a way he can enjoy.”
In his retirement, Posey plans to “spend special time” with his wife of 46 years; restore and ride older automobiles and motorcycles; hunt and fish more; and “to stay up as late as I want to … get up when I want to and to take a nap when I want to.”
Officials and supervisors are expected to call on Posey for advice and guidance during the transition.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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