Bonham -- Friends, family, associates and co-workers of Corby Alexander filled Bonham City Hall June 21 at a reception to honor the city manager as he prepares to make a major career advancement and move on to become the city manager at La Porte, Texas in the Houston area.

Alexander had other offers, too. In fact, a very enticing email came from someone wanting him to stay in Bonham; the missive offered to triple his salary, give him every Friday off and to create a complaint department in order to eliminate that troubling aspect of the job.

"That's not city management, that's heaven," joked Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd.

Alexander final days at the helm in Bonham were filled with pleasant memories. First, there was a standing ovation in his honor at Bonham Rotary Club. Then Kiwanis Club of Bonham presented Alexander with a certificate and Bonham City Council member Wayne Moore presented Alexander with a key to the city.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you," Moore told Alexander.

Bonham Fire Chief Brad Nichols recalled a white-knuckled ride when Alexander took the wheel of the city's new fire truck for a test ride at the factory in Louisiana.

"I think we left some red on some mailboxes," Chief Nichols said with a laugh.

Bonham City Council member John Burnett read a proclamation honoring Alexander and City of Bonham employee Kelly Baker presented Alexander with his own "Employee of the Month" designated parking space sign to take to La Porte.

"We appreciate everything you've done for the city employees," Baker said. "We also got you a card."

"A car?" Alexander quipped.

Known for his unfailing sense of humor, Alexander said he also appreciated the beautiful bouquet of flowers that were delivered that morning -- "I never get flowers," he said -- but he admitted getting a little uneasy when the next huge bouquet arrived.

"My office was starting to look like a funeral home," he joked.

"It has been such a pleasure to work for the City of Bonham," Alexander said. "It has been a wonderful experience to serve the City of Bonham. I made a lt of friends."

Alexander also made a lot of progress.

For the first time in 50 years, Bonham was finally able to build a new City Hall. Across the street sits a modern, renovated Senior Citizens Center. To the south is a recently renovated Bonham Police Department.

On the north side of town, Bonham's new animal shelter is now in operation.

Projects currently underway or in the planning stages include improvements at Lake Bonham campsites, a renovated Civic Center and improvements at the downtown Bonham Fire Station.

In addition to leaving behind many close friends, Alexander leaves behind a much-improved city as testimony of his time in Bonham.