Politics & Government

Canton City Manager Scott Wood Resigns

Chief Financial Officer Nathan Ingram will serve as interim city manager.

The city of Canton will now have to find another city manager.

Scott Wood resigned the post he'd held since 2009. Wood submitted his resignation letter to the Canton City Council during its meeting on Thursday and the body voted 5-1 to accept the letter.

Councilman Hooky Huffman was the lone dissenter. 

Wood in his letter noted he has been "privileged to live and work here for the last four years."

"I am not angry with anyone and, in many ways hate, that this time has come, but the truth of the matter is from time to time new and fresh perspectives are needed in various positions, be they elected or appointed," he added. "So it is with mixed emotions that I offer my resignation as city manager of the city of Canton to be effective immediately."

Wood also requested the city provide him with six-month salary and other benefits outlined in his contract, and respectfully asked the council to "take action on this matter immediately." 

Mayor Gene Hobgood appointed new council members Bill Grant, Sandy McGrew and John Rust to head up a search committee to find an interim city manager. Meanwhile, the city will utilize Chief Financial Officer Nathan Ingram to serve in the interim capacity for two weeks.

Hobgood didn't have much to say about Wood's resignation.

"We appreciate the job he's done and wish him well in his future endeavors," he added.

Councilman Glen Cummins was also straight to the point. When asked for his reaction, Cummins replied that the city is "moving forward." 

Cummins, who added he was not surprised by Wood's resignation, said he believed Wood decided to move onto other things.

"I think he was ready for a change," he added. 

McGrew added the city appreciates his service, his efforts to move the city forward and "we wish him well and the best of luck. 

Huffman decried the move, adding it was a "political move by the mayor, his cohort Mr. Cummins and the three new council members."

"It's a huge step backwards as far as Canton trying to move forward," he added.

The city hired Wood in 2009. Before coming to Canton, he served as the county manager of Bulloch County and the city manager of Milledgeville.

Wood has a bachelor's degree in political science from Mercer University and a master's degree in public administration from Georgia Southern University. 

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