Longtime Butler County Commissioner James Kennedy will not run for re-election next year.

Kennedy, 66, will retire at the end of 2011 after being in office for 16 years.

The Republican commissioner is not seeking a fifth term because he said it is the right time to go.

"There is a time and place," he said. "I'm not a career politician; I'm a farmer."

Kennedy said he doesn't regret any of the decisions he made during his lengthy tenure.

"I always, without exception, stood by my decisions because it was done for Butler County," he said.

Kennedy stressed the importance of moving projects forward.

He cited such examples as the county communications center, the Cranberry Connector and the new county prison being completed during his time in the county seat.

Kennedy said the prison, in particular, should have been constructed sooner.

"(For) 25 years, the commissioners sat there and wouldn't make a decision," he said.

Kennedy said what he'll miss most about the job is working with county employees.

The commissioner said he announced his retirement now because it isn't related to the 2011 election.

"I don't know if I would have won or not," he said.

Kennedy said he never assumed any of the four elections he's run in was a sure thing.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, board chairman, was surprised by Kennedy's retirement. But he praised Kennedy for his contributions to the county.

Commissioner Jim Lokhaiser agreed.

"He served the county well for 16 years," Lokhaiser said.

Both of Kennedy's colleagues said he will be missed.

"We worked well together," Lokhaiser said. "We didn't agree all the time, but that's what it's about."

Pinkerton said he and Lokhaiser, who are both serving their first terms in office, benefitted from Kennedy's experience.

"Because of the knowledge he's given us," Pinkerton said.

Although neither Pinkerton nor Lokhaiser has made any official announcement, they both said they will run for a second term if they remain healthy.

"I'm 75 years old, and I feel damn good," Lokhaiser said.

Bill O'Donnell, chief county clerk, lauded Kennedy's achievements while in office.

"He did a lot to make Butler County proud," O'Donnell said.

He said Kennedy always let people know where he stood.

"He was dedicated to the job," O'Donnell said.

County Controller Jack McMillin, who was serving his first term when Kennedy was elected, pointed out this would be the first time there was not a member of Kennedy's family involved in politics for decades.

"The Kennedy family has been visible in county government for over 50 years," McMillin said.

In addition to his father, H. Francis Kennedy, who was the state representative for the 12th district, his mother, Martha, was a past chairwoman of the county Republican committee.

Art Rauschenberger, chairman of the county Republican committee, said Kennedy's consistency led to his longevity in office.

"The root of his success is he's watched tax dollars and spending," Rauschenberger said.

He said Kennedy is the longest-serving Republican commissioner in recent memory.

Rauschenberger cited Kennedy's down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach as being advantageous.

He said Kennedy is like a father who is asked for a dollar by a child.

"Do you have to put a whole dollar in? Here's 75 cents," Rauschenberger said, suggesting how Kennedy would respond.

During Kennedy's tenure, he promoted fiscal responsibility and agricultural interests.

Before becoming commissioner, he served for 17 years on the South Butler School Board.

Kennedy is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

He and his wife Rita live in Middlesex Township on his farm. They have 11 grandchildren with a 12th on the way.

Kennedy does not plan on supporting a candidate before the primary, but will likely do so before the fall 2011 election.

Although his father was a state representative, the younger Kennedy didn't plan on entering politics.

In the 1970s, Kennedy was recuperating from a thyroid operation when a friend suggested he run for a school board seat.

"You've gotta be joking," Kennedy replied to his friend.

He did relent and his name was put on the ballot. Kennedy decided he would not be afraid to make decisions if he was elected.

Little did Kennedy know at the time that running for office would turn into a 30-year political career.

Among the state and national posts Kennedy has held since becoming commissioner in 1996 were chairman of the Southwestern PA Commission in Pittsburgh, president of the National Association of Regional Counties, and president and chairman of the County Commissioners Association of Pittsburgh.

He also served as the first president of the Center for Dairy Excellence and is a member of the Dairy Policy Action Coalition Committee.

Judy Snyder, Kennedy's administrative assistant, also will retire at the end of 2011.

Kennedy doesn't regret passing up any opportunities to run for higher office, where a state representative or senator is only one vote among many.

"In county government, it takes two votes to make something happen," he said.

Kennedy said he wanted to be remembered most for being honest.

He advises any future commissioners to do the same, putting their personal agendas aside.

"Be honest to the people of Butler County," he said.