POWDER SPRINGS - At 7 p.m. tonight, Powder Springs Councilman Bob Farmer will officially end a 13-year career in city government when a new city council is sworn into office at City Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs.

Farmer, 69, decided not to seek re-election in 2009. In doing so, he leaves office at the height of building activity in Powder Springs, much of it a result of the council's work while he was in office.

Lewis Road, where a new entrance to the city is planned, is under construction. A new park is planned near the Silver Comet Trail. And a new justice building, that combines the courthouse and police headquarters, is in the works among other things in the city.

They are but a few of a number of projects that the city of Powder Springs have undertaken within the past decade, since Farmer was elected to the council for a second time in 2000. He was first elected in 1972, and served from 1973 to 1976 before a hiatus from the council. In that period, new sewer and garbage systems have been implemented, a new downtown streetscape was put in place, and the city added a new library, the George E. Ford Center and renovated the senior center.

Helping to see those projects through completion are among Farmer's proudest achievements.

"We've done a lot of things over the past 14 years," Farmer said.

He said it was time for him to step down and allow a younger generation to add their say to city matters. Health problems also factored into his decision.

"I know I'll miss it. But it's time," Farmer said.

His wife, Nancy, said she hopes they can do some traveling and spend more time with their five grandchildren when his health gets better.

"His health is not the best in the world, so it's really best that he steps down because he's not able to put into it what he does," she said. "They have a lot more than two or three meetings a month that people don't realize."

Nancy Hudson will replace Farmer in representing Ward 3. Newcomer Cheryl Sarvis of Ward 1 will also be sworn into office on the council.

"This town has been very fortunate to have good elected officials," Farmer said. "We've got good elected officials now. The newly elected officials we believe will be really outstanding folks. They know that it's a tough job. They know that it's more of a full-time job than a part-time job."

Farmer, a Cobb native and retired tire salesman, was re-elected to office in July 2000 after a special election to fill an unexpired term. He said friends and supporters urged him to. He served as mayor pro tem in the last five years of his time in office.

Powder Springs Mayor Pat Vaughn - who served with Farmer on the council before her mayoral election in 2004 - said she respected Farmer's knowledge and thoughtfulness over the years.

"He has been my right hand man," Vaughn said. "I've always been able to count on Bob."

The city of Powder Springs has changed a lot since Farmer first took office. Back then, it had about 2,500 residents. It now has around 15,000 inhabitants. The city has also survived two recent floods.

Farmer's youngest brother, Tom Farmer of Cordova, Tenn., said it came as shock when he announced he was first running for office.

"I was surprised when Bob told the family he was considering a run for city council in Powder Springs, as to my knowledge, no one in the family had political aspirations. He stated at that time he was doing so with the hope he could help the city become a better place for young families and elderly alike to enjoy a comfortable and safe lifestyle," Tom Farmer said.

"Over the years, he has promoted the city and has been very instrumental in its controlled growth while ensuring the safety and fine reputation of the city was not tarnished."

Making Powder Springs a better place to live is why Farmer said he entered government in the first place.

"I want to thank the people of Powder Springs for allowing me to serve them," he said. "They are a great, great bunch of folks."