Recently promoted as Avondale Estates’ Deputy City Manager, Ken Turner has decided to retire effective Dec. 10. According to an announcement posted by the city on Friday Turner’s decision came “after careful consideration and thought. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends in Cartersville, Ga., where he’s lived for the last 15 years.”
Turner’s retirement comes at the close of one of the busiest years in both his professional and personal life. Former City Manager Clai Brown hired Turner as finance director in April 2008, and the two men ultimately forged a close working relationship. But Brown resigned last February and the Board of Mayor and Commissioners named Turner as interim manger.
Shortly thereafter Turner fulfilled a lifelong dream by touring Israel with stops in Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem and Masada.
In September Patrick Bryant became the permanent city manager, and in early November initiated a slight restructuring of staff. He promoted both Turner and City Planner Keri Stevens to deputy city manager and assistant city manager respectively. As far as anyone knows, these positions have never previously existed in the city’s hierarchy.
Turner remained as finance director but was now supervising the police department and court officers.
But Turner, 68, also has an active life in Cartersville. His family includes his wife, four children and four grandchildren. He serves on the finance committee of his church, Sam Jones United Methodist, and is chairman of the board of Cartersville’s Battered Women’s Shelter.
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