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JAMES HOLYCROSS |
Bellefontaine’s Service-Safety Director James Holycross announced Tuesday he will leave his position May 4 after 10 years at the post.
“It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve in this capacity for the last 10 years and (I) cannot express enough the appreciation I feel to have had this opportunity,” Holycross wrote in his letter to Mayor Ben Stahler.
“I’m thankful for the support I’ve had from my family and friends but primarily thankful to God who has entrusted me with so much.
“It’s been great to watch the (c)ity of Bellefontaine spring back to life and to know that the work we have done together has been a part of that.”
Holycross intends to retire after more than 35 years in city employment. He was a firefighter from 1982 to 2000 and fire chief until he took the service-safety director position on Jan. 1, 2008, for incoming Mayor Adam Brannon.
Mayor Stahler kept Holycross in the position when he took over as an appointed mayor in 2014.
“Asking Jim to become service-safety director was a bold move for Adam Brannon’s early days in office,” Stahler said after the announcement. “When I became Mayor, I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking his place. It is a vital role in our local government, and Jim has what it takes.
“Jim is thoughtful, well organized and easy to get along with. He has been a true ‘visionary’ for our community.
“Jim can be very proud of the work that has been accomplished over his last 10 years as service-safety director. His efforts will be seen for many years to come in our community.”