Harry Sharp, chairman of the Vicksburg Main Street Board of Directors for 15 years, has resigned as board chairman and will leave the board when his term ends next year.

Sharp, 64, announced his decision in a letter to the board on Tuesday, citing ongoing health problems and pressing business matters as reasons for stepping down. He did not attend the Tuesday meeting.

The board elected co-chairman Ronnie Bounds as chairman to succeed Sharp, and named Kristen Meehan as co-chairman.

“I hated to do it, but it was time,” Sharp said of his decision, “I really need to devote more time to my businesses.”

Sharp’s letter commended the board for keeping the city’s Main Street district viable and making the Vicksburg Main Street program, “one of the most successful Main Street programs in the country.

“In addition, we are known throughout the community as the most effective and cohesive board, for which you all are to be commended,” he wrote.

Bounds, a former longtime city planner for the City of Vicksburg, called Sharp a gentleman, adding, “That is well-reflected in the professional manner in which he has conducted the business of the Vicksburg Main Street Program. Harry has real love for the heart of our city, and through his many contacts on the state and national level has brought very positive attention to what downtown has to offer.”

Vicksburg Main Street director Kim Hopkins said Sharp played a big role in the program.

“He has been a very active member of Main Street and very active and supportive of downtown,” she said.

She added Sharp’s contacts helped the board get such officials as Gov. Haley Barbour and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann to speak at the program’s annual meetings.

“I’m happy he’ll still be on the board,” Hopkins said.

Sharp was first elected to the Main Street board in 1987. He was elected again in 1996, and also was elected chairman.

“We’ve come a long way in the last 15 years,” Sharp said. “Downtown has again become a viable, solid part of the community. I’m hopeful some young people will get involved now and continue the work.”

Sharp came to Vicksburg in 1985, when he bought and restored The Duff Green Mansion, an antebellum home on First East Street. The home is now a bed and breakfast.

In September 2010, he acquired Green Acres Memorial Park, which has been renamed Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery. Sharp, who operated a cemetery in Florida before coming to Vicksburg, had been appointed receiver of Green Acres in 2009 after the Secretary of State’s office took over the financially troubled cemetery.

Sharp said Wednesday that getting Greenlawn back into shape has been his priority.

“It’s a big challenge, but I’m enjoying it,” he said.

In other action, the board:

• Learned that Hit the Bricks is Sept. 8.

• Discussed the 17th Annual Fall Festival and the Second Annual Bricks and Spokes.

Hopkins said the fall festival will feature a free concert on Friday, Sept. 30, featuring Four Guys and a Girl and The Mulemen. Bricks and Spokes, on Saturday, Oct. 1, will take bicycle riders into Warren County, and across the Mississippi River into Louisiana using the U.S. 80 bridge.

• Learned the Blue Room Blues Trail marker ceremony is Sept. 21 at the gazebo on Clay Street across from the parking garage.

• Discussed the Lofts of Vicksburg tour on Nov. 12.

• Discussed Vicksburg’s Old-fashioned Christmas Open House from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 27.

• Discussed the Christmas Parade of Lights is set for 5 p.m. Dec. 3. The theme is

“Disney Christmas.”