Tom Gore has spent two terms serving as a District 1 representative on LaGrange City Council. Now, he’s prepared to step down for incoming councilman Jim Thornton Jan. 12, but it’s not his choice.

“The reason I decided to let this go was be-cause the (medical) practice has gotten busier and more demanding, and that’s where I plan to put my resources right now,” Gore said. “I hope that will go well.”

Gore is a cardiologist with Southern Cardiopulmonary Associates, and his practice is busy enough to need him to pass the council torch along to someone else.

After eight years as a councilman, however, it was no easy decision. Going through two recessions, announcing the coming of Kia Motors to Troup County and having a father who spent 26 years on council all made it difficult.

“I’m leaving reluctantly because I’d love to be staying longer,” Gore said.

Beginning his council career the week of Sept. 11, 2001, the cardiologist had the chance to see an in-creased scrutiny from residents dealing with the way the city and its departments do business.

“People at that time were much more aware of things the fire department did to help cities, of course, with New York’s disaster,” he said, “and so people really, quickly became attune to what cities did and what fire departments and police departments and mayors and councils (did).”

During his council tenure, Gore said the arrival of Kia was his shining moment - not that he directly influenced negotiations, but that he would have wanted his father to see such an exciting change occur in the area.

“We, as a council, supported our mayor and our city manager in the leadership that they showed us on that, and we were proud to be involved with that,” he said.

Although Jan. 12 will be the final council meeting for Gore, he was given a sendoff Dec. 22, when council members and Mayor Jeff Lukken thanked him for his input and ideas during his tenure.

Thornton was given the outgoing councilman’s en-dorsement early during the race for the seat. Thornton went unopposed in the election. Gore believes Thornton will accomplish a lot of good for District 1 and the city.

“He’s going to do a great job,” Gore said. “He has a lot of skills and a lot of talents and abilities, and he’s going to be a great representative for the entire city.

“The thing that you always have to say when you talk about these districts is even though we’re elected by the districts, we serve the city.”

If given the opportunity in the future, residents might just see Gore back in action eyeing another race for council, but only if his practice allows it.

“I would hope that that opportunity would be there somewhere in the future,” he said. “I’m not leaving because I want to leave or because I’m disappointed - I’m leaving because I really just had to from a time standpoint, and I’ll miss it.”

Trey Wood can be reached at twood @ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.