Leesburg hires former Lee Public Works director

LEESBURG, Ga. — At a special called meeting Tuesday, the Leesburg City Council voted 4-3 to hire former Lee County Public Works Director William Clark for the same position with the city.

Clark served the county for more than 10 years before resigning in late 2009 for engaging in business practices that conflicted with his employment.

Clark’s name was placed into nomination by councilman Billy Breeden and seconded by Richard Bush. The council reached a 3-3 impasse with Breeden, Bush and Bobby Wilson voting for, while Sidney Johnson, Judy Powell and Debra Long voted against.

Mayor Jim Quinn broke the tie, voting in favor of Clark’s hire.

“I think William realizes he made a mistake, but haven’t we all?” Wilson said prior to the vote, alluding to Clark’s resignation from the county. “I think (Clark) still has a good relationship with county officials. I just think William Clark is a good fit for the city of Leesburg.”

At the time of Clark’s resignation from the county, two people claiming knowledge of the incident said he had paid a business owner to place a bid on a piece of equipment that Clark wanted to sell to the county after he had been told that he could not conduct such business as a county employee.

“My major concern with this hiring is if (Clark) will be able to work with the county,” Powell said.

According to Quinn, Clark will be paid between $40,000 and $50,000 and assume the position pending the results of a drug test and background check.