Politics & Government
Bob Rush Hopes Council Will Remain "Independent"
Ward 1 Councilman Bob Rush reflects on his time serving on the Canton City Council.
Editor's note: Patch reached out to Canton City Councilman Bob Rush as he prepares to transition back into private life. Rush, who was first elected in 2009, decided not to seek a second term on the council for the November city elections.
Resident Sandy McGrew was elected to succeed Rush, and she will be sworn in before the Jan. 2, 2014, council meeting.
Patch asked Rush about his tenure and what his plans are for the near future.
1. What are your plans once you officially roll off the council?
2014 will be mostly R&R. More travel, more golf and back to playing bridge with the men of Soleil (at Laurel Canyon).
2. During your tenure, what do you think were the city's biggest accomplishments?
Resurrecting the Fairways of Canton golf course, changing the restaurant closing to 2 a.m. (that's how I was tagged as "last Call Bob" by my fellow council members), helping to keep the (Hickory Log Creek) reservoir, water and fire departments as part of Canton and getting $600,000 in a reserve account for the city.
3. Was there anything you wanted to see the city achieve that did not happen?
I wanted to build two fire stations for the Canton Fire Department and to get $1.2 million in a reserve account.
4. Was there anything you personally wanted to see the city implement or explore that did not get done?
I tried several times to get the city to convert some of its vehicles to natural gas (compressed natural gas or liquified natural gas) to no avail.
5. Moving forward, what do you think the City Council's biggest challenges are?
Staying independent and keeping Canton's government a council-manager form and not changing it to a strong mayor form. That would be a disaster for this city and create a dictatorship rather than a democracy. Also, they need to keep the fire department as part of Canton and not give it away to Cherokee County.
6. What, if any, advice do you have for your successor?
Think for yourself and remember you represent all the people of Canton and not just those who voted for you.
7. What do you want to say to the Canton residents you've served over the last four years?
Get informed and be aware of what is happening in your city government; vote in municipal elections; don't let 500+ voters determine the fate of a city of 23,000 residents. Public apathy is political poison as it allows a small single minded group of people to forge the future for the many.
Resident Sandy McGrew was elected to succeed Rush, and she will be sworn in before the Jan. 2, 2014, council meeting.
Patch asked Rush about his tenure and what his plans are for the near future.
1. What are your plans once you officially roll off the council?
2014 will be mostly R&R. More travel, more golf and back to playing bridge with the men of Soleil (at Laurel Canyon).
2. During your tenure, what do you think were the city's biggest accomplishments?
Resurrecting the Fairways of Canton golf course, changing the restaurant closing to 2 a.m. (that's how I was tagged as "last Call Bob" by my fellow council members), helping to keep the (Hickory Log Creek) reservoir, water and fire departments as part of Canton and getting $600,000 in a reserve account for the city.
3. Was there anything you wanted to see the city achieve that did not happen?
I wanted to build two fire stations for the Canton Fire Department and to get $1.2 million in a reserve account.
4. Was there anything you personally wanted to see the city implement or explore that did not get done?
I tried several times to get the city to convert some of its vehicles to natural gas (compressed natural gas or liquified natural gas) to no avail.
5. Moving forward, what do you think the City Council's biggest challenges are?
Staying independent and keeping Canton's government a council-manager form and not changing it to a strong mayor form. That would be a disaster for this city and create a dictatorship rather than a democracy. Also, they need to keep the fire department as part of Canton and not give it away to Cherokee County.
6. What, if any, advice do you have for your successor?
Think for yourself and remember you represent all the people of Canton and not just those who voted for you.
7. What do you want to say to the Canton residents you've served over the last four years?
Get informed and be aware of what is happening in your city government; vote in municipal elections; don't let 500+ voters determine the fate of a city of 23,000 residents. Public apathy is political poison as it allows a small single minded group of people to forge the future for the many.
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