The retirement this month of Federal Programs and Building Inspections Director George Irby is a loss for the city, officials said.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to help make a difference in my hometown,” Irby, who has served the city for 25 years, including seven with his current department, said, noting he envisions future “growth and success” for Columbus.
“He”s been a great asset to the city of Columbus,” Mayor Robert Smith said. “He”s an outstanding (public relations) person. He”s helped the city tremendously, as far as getting grants for different programs. He is well-known statewide.
“I can understand that there comes a time in a person”s life when they decide to move on and enjoy some leisure time, so I”ll know he”ll be on the golf course every chance he gets,” he continued. “But I can appreciate his dedication and loyalty to the city of Columbus and the time and effort he has put into the Federal Programs and Building Inspections departments. Once George became director, especially from an inspection department standpoint, it”s a little more customer friendly now, especially when dealing with contractors. He had the attitude (of) we want to work with you; we want you to invest in our city. George is the type of person (who) if you can”t work with him, you can work with no one.”
In addition to his duties handling enforcement and development of the city”s codes and ordinances, Irby wrote the majority of grants for the city, during his tenure.
“He was a key player in getting the Riverwalk,” Smith said. “He was a major player from the beginning of the Riverwalk to where it is today.”
Smith also noted Irby was a key player in getting Mississippi Department of Transportation funds to renovate the historic Highway 82 bridge across the Tombigbee River into a pedestrian walkway.
“He”s a great person to work with,” Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor said of Irby. “I”ve learned a lot from George over the past three years. He assisted me with a lot of projects I”ve had going on in the Southside area. He”s just been wonderful.
“He”s a great PR person and he knows how to get out there and make things happen for the city of Columbus,” he added. “I really hate to see him go.”
“I just think it”s going to be a loss for the city of Columbus,” Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens said. “George knew his way around. It”s going to be tough to replace him. I think if we could just get somebody half as good as him, we”d be OK. He”s going to be truly missed.”
“He”s a good man,” Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box said of Irby. “He”s done an awfully good job for the city. He really does a good job in the PR area and he”ll be missed.”
“I”m sorry to hear he”s going to retire, but I hope he has the best of luck with everything he has in mind to do,” said Ward 4 Councilman Fred Stewart. “George meant a whole lot to me, when I first came on the council, and (he was good at) getting things done. He”s real knowledgeable at his job and I appreciate working with him. I wish him the best of luck.”
“He is going to be truly missed,” said Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem. “Whatever he does, after retirement, I wish him well. He”s going to be truly missed from the city. The ones who come after him have some pretty big shoes to fill, because he was such an ambassador for the city.”
“It”s going to be a blow for the city to lose George,” said Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin. “George has served the city in a lot of capacities and he”s been a great public servant.
“I understand where he”s coming from (in wanting to retire),” Gavin, 60, said, noting he also is close to retirement age. “I”m certainly proud of him and proud of the job he”s done in the city. I”ve known George a long time and I think George deserves a lot of credit for helping the city move forward and being a stable person in the city. George has done a great job. I hate to lose him, but I understand. I certainly wish him the best. It will be a job for the city to find someone to fill his shoes.”
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