County's leisure services manager leaving for Hilton Head

The way Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross calls it, Frank Neal is being banished.

But Columbia County's community and leisure services manager actually is following his wife to Hilton Head, S.C. She's going to head an occupational therapy program at three facilities on Hilton Head.

Neal worked his final day with Columbia County on Tuesday. He's traded an office overlooking the Savannah River for a spot on Daufuskie Island. He'll be working with the developers of Haig Point - a residential and golf development.

Neal came to Columbia County about four years ago from Statesboro.

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He hesitates to point out one main item he's most proud of during his time in Columbia County, opting instead to list several things. He's helped develop several local festival and creating a recreation and greenspace master plans.

He also points to improved customer service in his division.

"All the departments in my division are really working together for the first time as a team instead of separate entities," he said.

There are some regrets. He wishes he could see the completion of work in the Augusta Canal area and some sales tax projects.

"But I've gotten them to a point now where they should to be very close being completed now," he said.