One longtime city of Ridgeland employee is now heading up two departments as of Oct. 1 after the previous public works director retired last month.
Alan Hart, the community development director for the last 16 years, will now also be the director of public works. Mayor Gene McGee said Hart applied for the job and after interviewing candidates, it was clear that Hart was the most qualified.
“His education, work ethic and dedication to the city of Ridgeland, as well as his great knowledge of the day to day operation of the city, makes him very qualified,” McGee said.
Hart said he is very passionate about the city and wanted to make sure that the mayor and board of aldermen can accomplish their goals in both departments. As director of community development, Hart often interacted and worked with employees in public works and said, upon becoming the new director, it was natural for the mayor and board to make community development a division of public works.
“I was flattered that they chose me to take over as the public works director,” Hart said. “I have always had a close relationship with Mike McCollum, the former Director. We found ways to bring our departments together to help one another accomplish the city’s goals.”
While Hart said the line between the two departments is invisible except on paper, the departments have always interacted with each other, which caused some management overlap. Shared responsibilities of the departments only happen where the public property line meets the private property line.
“Public works manages the public side of the line, and community development enforces the ordinances that govern private property,” Hart said. “With the new alignment, I will be able to put the right person on the right task quicker than ever before.”
Both the mayor and Hart agree that one thing helps balancing both of the director titles: the great people in both departments.
“There are so many people in public works and community development that have a service heart and the talent to really make a difference,” Hart said. “Since taking over Oct. 1, I have really enjoyed watching so many people step up and rise to the occasion.”
McGee said there are employees in both departments that are well-qualified to take on more responsibility and so Hart balancing both departments will not be a problem.
“We have great employees in both public and community development, so we won’t miss a beat,” McGee said.
Hart said he is most excited that the mayor and board of aldermen have placed him in a position to continue to fulfill his life mission of making the world a better place. He said it is a blessing to have the opportunity to impact so many people in a positive way.
“I am so honored to have this opportunity and to have the support of the mayor and board of aldermen,” Hart said. “I take pride in understanding and accomplishing their mission and goals. I will put the time in to make sure that I do my very best.”
