A reception is set for 5-7 p.m. Thursday for Oakwood City Planner Larry Sparks, who is retiring this week after 38 years of public service.

The event will take place at Oakwood City Hall, 4035 Walnut Circle.

Sparks, 59, has worked as city planner for the past six years.

He served in different roles, including planning director, at the Gainesville-based Georgia Mountains Regional Development Commission — now known as the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission — from 1973 to 2005.

City Manager Stan Brown has said he plans to assume some of Sparks' duties after he leaves.

"We're going to evaluate (the job) over a 30-day period and based on that, we'll determine if we need to make any kind of modification to the position before we put it out for advertising," Brown said.

For more information about the reception, contact Teresa Ferguson at 770-534-2365 or tferguson@cityofoakwood.net.