Richard Nixon was sworn in as the 37th president of the United States and the Beatles gave their final public performance the same year Jim White was sworn in as a Fanning Springs City Council member.

A celebration was held last Tuesday to honor White for his 40-year  tenure on the city council. Eleven days shy of his 80th birthday, White  has decided not to seek re-election when his term expires in December 2010.

"You know when you stay there as long as I have, you get to thinking people don't care," White said. "But then when they do something like they did the other night . well, it just makes you wish you could do another 40 years. But knowing you can't."

During the celebration White was presented with plaques from the Florida League of Cities, the City of Fanning Springs, and a plaque with a letter written to him by Florida Governor Charlie Crist. In the letter, Crist congratulated White for his 40 years of service, saying "Your hard work and dedication to advocate on behalf of the citizens of Fanning Springs is inspiring, as you have been an active voice for your local fire department and many community projects over the years."

During his tenure on the city council, which officially started in October 1968, White has been very involved with the city's fire department, which was started when some 10 members of the community, including White, donated $100 each.

"The forestry department donated an old Dodge truck, which was a lot," White recalls. "We didn't have much of a fire department back then. Ronnie McQueen has come along since and done a super job with the fire department."

The Fanning Springs fire department is number one in the tri-county area, and if you don't believe it just ask this proud city councilman. "I might be just a little prejudice," White said with a laugh.

According to city officials, White has also worked tirelessly over the years to see that roads are paved throughout the city. After becoming a council member in 1969, White went on to become vice chair for the first time in 1971 and later chairman of the council for the first time in 1972.

"The town was founded in 1965 and there were no taxes for the first 20 years," White said. "Folks were promised that they wouldn't have taxes and they didn't until the federal government said we had to have a tax base, but it started out at no more than 1 mill."

When White joined the city council, he said the city's annual budget was $7,000 compared to today's budget, which is over $1 million. "Money wise we've done a good job, but not with growth," White said.

Lujan Barden, water clerk for the city of Fanning Springs, said that White has given endless hours to the city during his 40 years of service.

Prior to hearing that White would not be seeking re-election, Barden said, "We're not sure if he is planning to seek re-election, but we're all hoping he will run again."

White explained that he has had some health problems in recent years, including a quadruple bypass, which led him to make the decision to not seek re-election.

"My thinking isn't as fast and my patience ain't as good," White said.  "If I was still up to par I would love to make another 40 years!"