At a special called meeting of Bonham City Council held Tuesday, July 31, Bill Shipp was selected as the new Bonham City Manager.

Mr. Shipp brings more than eight years of experience to the position after having spent five years as city manager in Commerce, Texas, followed by a three-year run as city manager in Royse City.

Shipp's knowledge of surrounding cities will be an asset and, even on his first day on the job, the new city manager is already quite aware of many local assets, as well. The legacy of Sam Rayburn lives on at Sam Rayburn House Museum and Sam Rayburn Library. Shipp mentions Bonham Public Library, Bonham Senior Citizens Center and Fannin County Historical Museum as three facilities that immediately caught his eye; the new city manager also sees great potential in an improved Bonham Civic Center, often referred to as the Armory.

Although he hasn't had time to study details of the $10 million proposal to build a hotel on Hwy 121 North, Shipp is aware of the glaring need for a flagship hotel in Bonham.

"That would further enhance this town," Shipp says of the project.

Wednesday found Bonham City Manager Bill Shipp already hard at work on his first day on the job.

As city manager, Shipp takes the reins of a town that has made remarkable strides of late with the construction of its first city hall in 50 years, a new animal shelter, plus recent renovations of the senior citizens center and police station. The new city manager has also noted an aggressive effort to repair streets.

While familiarizing himself with the city budget as quickly as possible will certainly be a top priority, Shipp hopes to meet with each city council member individually in the week ahead to discuss each official's perspective of the challenges Bonham faces.

While Shipp currently lives in Royse City, he is selling that house and looking forward to relocating in Bonham.