Councilman Jim Maddox Retiring, No More Sleeping Through Meetings
Thank God. Out of the 5 Councilmemebers on my “defeat in November” hit list, 2 are retiring (Fauver and Maddox)- Yeay! Plus Cleta’s in danger. This is wonderful, full of wonder. That jerk threatened to have me arrested during CDHR, was constantly falling asleep, and was Shirley Franklin’s tool.
####
ATLANTA’S LONGEST SERVING ELECTED CITY OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
JIM MADDOX, “DEAN” OF THE ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL
LEAVES LONG LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Atlanta – (August 31, 2009) Councilman Jim Maddox, the longest serving elected city official in Atlanta’s history, has decided to retire at the end of his current term, after a 32-year career in public service. Maddox, affectionately known as the “Dean” of the Atlanta City Council, will not seek re-election to the 11th District seat which he has successfully maintained for eight terms.
“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to have served District 11 and the great city of Atlanta. Retiring is not an easy decision, but I look forward to spending more time with my family and continuing to cultivate some of the international interests of the city.”
Cultivating the city’s international promise is an area in which Maddox has been instrumental. He introduced the legislation in the early 1980’s for the Advisory Committee on International Relations for the city of Atlanta. “My vision is to see an international cultural and economic development center for the Southeast Region of the United States being housed in Atlanta.”
In fact, Maddox will be leaving for Argentina this week, where he will meet with mayors and city council members from South American countries, in an effort to promote Atlanta in economic exchange opportunities. He then heads to St. Petersburg, Russia and Moscow on a diplomatic mission on behalf of Mayor Franklin and the Council.
The Councilman’s legacy of leadership is widespread, and the current issues facing District 11 stay close to his heart, such as the widening of CampbelltonRoad, and the Tax Allocation District along the Campbellton Corridor. Maddox says he will fully support the future leadership of District 11.
Maddox is a retired contract administrator for Lockheed Aeronautical Systems, where he worked for more than 30 years. He also served as Campaign Public Affairs Director with United Way for more than twelve years. He is married to Alice Wise Maddox, a retired Atlanta Public Schools teacher. They are the proud parents of four children and three grandchildren. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and Atlanta University, and has been a member ofWest Hunter Street Baptist Church since the age of six.
The “Dean” who celebrates turning 75 years “young” this October, admits while he is retiring, he will still be quite busy. “You have to keep moving; otherwise you wither on the vine.”