DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – District 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby is a firm believer in term limits for elected officials, which is one reason he will be leaving the Board of Commissioners this month, following the completion of his second, four-year term.

Many politicians believe in term limits – for others – not necessarily for themselves. But Hamby is different. Maybe because he has never considered himself a politician. Throughout his eight years in office, he would often say, “I’m not a politician. I’m a public servant.” And he was crystal clear about the difference.

It is one thing Commissioner Sharon Fausett has always appreciated about Hamby.

“He has been true to that statement,” she said. “The taxpayers have always been foremost in his mind and how they will be affected by his vote. I thank him for all he has done and wish him the very best.”

Commissioner Julie Hughes-Nix said, “I feel very fortunate to have worked beside Jimmy for the past eight years. He really cares about Dawson County and doing the right thing. Throughout his previous terms Commissioner Hamby has supported projects to always improve our county. He will be missed.”

County Manager David Headley echoed her sentiments. “He will be missed and remembered for years to come,” Headley said. “I think what truly makes him a standout is his pledge to always do what he feels is in the best interest of the county, regardless of whether others agree.”

People who know him describe him as “approachable, accessible, a genuine guy, part of the community and a good storyteller.”

Each Thursday before the meetings started, Hamby could be seen walking out into the meeting room to greet those in attendance and welcome them with a warm handshake whether he knew them or not. He was always armed with a smile and a story.

“He always brought a positive attitude to work, even during the toughest times,” Headley said.

Hamby says what he will miss most are the people he met.

“I enjoy meeting people — whether they agree with me or not — and you do meet a lot working on the Board,” he said.

A lifelong resident of Dawson County, Hamby is too modest to point out any of his singular accomplishments but he did say he felt the Board had done a good job of preserving Dawson County.

“Some people move here because they like Dawson County but then they want to change it,” hee said. “Let’s preserve Dawson County like it is for the most part. I know we have to have growth, but we need quality growth. We did preserve as much of it as we could legally. “We need industry and we need jobs so people who do live here don’t have to leave to get a job.

He is retiring from the Board, but not from his grading business. “I will still do commercial and residential grading,” he said. “I’ll probably work even harder now.”

But he will have more time to spend with his wife Shirley and son Chess, a teacher in the Dawson County school system.

Nix summed up the sentiments of Hamby’s fellow commissioners by saying, “I feel very fortunate to have worked beside Jimmy for the past eight years. He really cares about Dawson County and doing the right thing. Throughout his previous terms Commissioner Hamby has supported projects to always improve our county. He will be missed.”

The public is invited to a reception to honor Hamby following tomorrow’s Board of Commissioners meeting work session that begins at 4 p.m.

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