Michael Rimer will jump from small to big when he becomes the new Manheim Township manager next month.

Rimer, 44, of Hummelstown, is looking forward to the leap.

"The community has a good reputation," he said. "This is the kind of place you want to go if you're going to the next level."

Rimer, who starts Nov. 3., replaces Jim Martin, who is retiring after 25 years at the township.

Rimer had been the West Hanover Township manager since 1999, overseeing the township of about 9,000 residents and 23 employees. West Hanover is located north of Hershey.

He will now oversee a township of about 36,000 residents and 137 employees.

Rimer will deal with some new responsibilities. For example, Manheim Township has a police department, while West Hanover did not, relying on state police coverage.

"Coming to Manheim Township, it's a wider range of issues here," he said. "There's more exposure to different things and different services."

But he will deal with some of the same challenges.

During his nine years in West Hanover, the township experienced a lot of residential growth, adding about 1,500 to 2,000 homes.

It also dealt with commercial growth, adding hotels and other businesses.

The township also is similar to Manheim Township in that it has no central town.

Rimer is excited by Overlook Park and the work by commissioners to establish it as a focal point for community activities.

He also is excited by the Transit Improvement District, a site bordering the township and Lancaster City near the Amtrak station that officials hope to study for redevelopment.

Rimer and his wife, Karin, a school teacher in York County, plan to move to Manheim Township with their 2-year-old son within the next year.

The new township manager, who grew up in Jefferson County in western Pennsylvania, has two degrees from Penn State University, a bachelor's in community studies, with an emphasis in community planning, and a master's in public administration.

In his spare time, he likes to golf, attends Penn State football games and enjoys vacations in Ocean City, Md.

Rimer's predecessor, Martin, will have his last day on Oct. 31.

Martin plans to stay in the area with his wife, Betty Jo. He said he may do some consulting and also will focus on his woodcarving.

He has overseen significant growth since he came to the township in 1983 as assistant manager. He became the manager a year later.

In 1983, the township's budget was $2.3 million. Today, it is $15 million.

He said he has enjoyed his work with the commissioners and is proud of the township for its parks and recreation department, its police department and its work to preserve farmland, among other things.


Staff writer Cindy Stauffer can be reached at cstauffer@LNPnews.com or 481-6024.