Clayton News Daily

By Michael Davis

The suspended city manager of Hampton resigned from the post Friday after a special called meeting.

Chris Rainwater, who was removed from his job as the city's top employee last week, submitted his resignation to the city council Friday afternoon, and the council accepted it, said Council member Michael Tomarchio.

Tomarchio described the break as the best thing for the city and for Rainwater.

"His reasons were, he felt he was incompatible with the powers in the city," Tomarchio said.

"The search for a manager will resume immediately," he added.

Rainwater was hired in April following a four-month search to replace Hampton's first city manager Bob Zellner.

Zellner had been fired by the city council in 2003 but returned days later.

Rainwater was at first suspended without pay for 15 days beginning June 28 but the council voted Tuesday to reinstate his salary while an internal investigation was conducted.

Representing the city council, attorney Mike O'Quinn said that Rainwater and the council signed a waiver stating neither party would seek damages against the other.

Rainwater managed the city of Blakely, Ga., for about a year before coming to Hampton.

"We wished him well and he wished us well," council member Ed Hendry said after the meeting. He added the council would like revisit some of the applicants that sought the job before Rainwater was hired.