El Cajon City Manager Douglas Williford will retire sometime in May, bringing an end to his 40-year career in public service.
Williford announced his retirement on Feb. 14, exactly six years after he was named to the city manager’s job.
“I told my wife that 60 is a big, round number, and it’s my 40th year in the business, also a nice, round number, and that it was good time to stop,” he said.
City Councilman Gary Kendrick called Williford one of the best city managers in California. He pointed to Williford’s successes in revitalizing El Cajon, citing an agreement with concert promoter Live Nation to manage the El Cajon Performing Arts Center, as well as the attraction of a four-star Marriot Hotel.
The past year has been a trying one for the city, however. As City News reported last month, El Cajon has been at the center of controversy over a food sharing ban on city-owned property such as El Cajon Park. The policy was implemented in response to a rash of Hepatitis A cases but has already been abandoned by the city amid outcry and legal threats.
El Cajon has not yet chosen a successor for Williford, but Assistant City Manager Graham Mitchell is a likely replacement.
Taking up the mantle for Williford will be a tall order.
“He has had a profound influence on every aspect of what the city is and has become,” said Mayor Bill Wells. “His counsel has been consistently wise and effective and he will be greatly missed.”