By Sheila McLaughlin
Enquirer Staff Writer

BLUE ASH - The city's senior councilman is calling it quits after 32 years.

Raymond MacNab, 77, who is credited with helping guide the city from a small town to one of Hamilton County's most prosperous cities, is retiring Aug. 31 with more than a year left on his term.

"Will I miss it? Sure. But, I just think it's time that I'd like to do a little traveling and stuff, and 32 years is enough to be there," MacNab said Thursday.

MacNab, first appointed to council in June 1972, said he has entertained the thought of leaving council for about a year. But he ran in 2003 to help newcomer Henry Stacey get elected to council-at-large.

Mayor Rick Bryan said he has mixed emotions. He's happy to see his friend have more free time.

"But I'm sad because Ray was one of those people whose vision made Blue Ash the city with the great reputation it has today. He was a visionary. He was one of the folks who kept shoulder to the grindstone," Bryan said.

MacNab served as mayor in the 1970s and in the mid-1990s.

Council has a candidate in mind to serve out the remainder of MacNab's term, but Bryan declined to say who.

MacNab's final council meeting will be Aug. 12. The public is invited to a reception afterward, starting about 8:15 p.m.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com