Politics & Government
Lawmakers: Calvin Hill Put 'Service Above Self'
Former and current Cherokee County state legislators share their thoughts on Calvin Hill, who passed away on Wednesday.
Current and former members of the Cherokee County legislative delegation say their former colleague Calvin Hill of Hickory Flat will be remembered for his dedication to public service.
Hill, the delegation's longest serving member of the Georgia General Assembly, passed away on Wednesday after a battle with leukemia.
Hill, 66, has been called by his colleagues as one who was not only dedicated to his role as state legislator, but also to his family and community.
Former State Rep. Charlice Byrd of Woodstock said Hill was her mentor during her freshman term in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Hill, who Byrd also said mentored her through "thick and thin" during her eight years in public service, was also her seat buddy while the Georgia General Assembly was in session. She noted Hill was the kind of legislator who put a lot of thought into a particular subject before commenting on it.
"I think Calvin was well-respected and there were, I’m sure, people who went to him for advice," she said, adding she always wanted to be around Hill because "he was so wise."
Both freshmen Republican state representatives Michael Caldwell and Scot Turner also expressed their condolences for Hill. Caldwell, who lives in Woodstock noted Hill was "a truly outstanding Georgia, public servant and friend."
"I consider myself truly privileged to have had the opportunity to serve with and learn from him," he added. "Our community owes him and his family a debt of gratitude for his years of faithful service. He was a great man and will be truly missed."
Turner echoed Caldwell's sentiments, adding his colleague was "a public servant that put the needs of his constituents above himself."
"His principled leadership and fighting spirit is an example to us all," the Holly Springs resident wrote on his Facebook page. "His passing is a huge loss to our community and the House of Representatives."
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston of Blue Ridge also commented on the passing of his colleague. Ralston on Wednesday wrote Hill "was one of the most principled public servants in our state."
He noted Calvin Hill "fought hard" for the ideals he believed in and "never grew weary of doing what was right."
To former State Rep. Sean Jerguson of Holly Springs, Hill was an individual who was very deliberate and "tried to make wise decisions."
Hill was also Jerguson's mentor when he was first elected to the State House, and noted his colleague's pragmatism made him the "gentleman and statesman that he was."
"I’m going to miss him," he said. "He was a very good friend."
Former Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers wrote on his Facebook profile that Hill's passing "brings with it a gut-wrenching pain only associated with the loss of a true friend."While serving in the legislature brought the two men together, Rogers said their bond transformed from not only a professional one, but of a personal one.
"Calvin Hill was one of the strongest men I have met in my life," he said. "His character, unassailable. His class, always present. His willingness to do what he thought right, never questioned. Most importantly, his love for Cheryl, a lesson to all of us on how to treat a wife."
State Senator Brandon Beach of Alpharetta noted the state "lost a great man" and asked the public to pray for Hill and his family.
State Senator John Albers of Roswell, who respresents a sliver of southeastern Cherokee County noted on his Facebook page that "heaven has a new angel."
"God bless State Representative Calvin Hill, a true public servant and statesman," he added.
State Rep. Mandi Ballinger of Canton noted Hill was the "guiding force" behind the current delegation, as the group has had new members join its ranks within the last year.
"We relied on Calvin to show us the ropes," she said.
Former State Senator Barry Loudermilk of Cassville, who resigned earlier this year to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, added his heart was broken when he learned of Hill's passing.
He noted Hill was a state legislator who consistently put "service above self."
Loudermilk, who served as the commander of the Civil Air Patrol, said Hill also joined the patrol and proved to be as dedicated to the position of vice commander as he was with serving his constituents.
"Georgia is truly going to miss this great public servant and my family and I will miss him as well," he added.
Hill got his start in politics by serving two terms as mayor of Ball Ground in the early 1990s before tackling state politics, according to his website. He was the founder and CEO of Gila Distributing, Inc.
At the national level, Hill was the Georgia House state chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council.
At the local level, Hill was a founding member of Cherokee Bank and served on its board of directors.
Hill's civic involvement included serving on the Reinhardt University Board of Trustees, graduating from the Regional Leadership Institute and Leadership Cherokee, and has served on the boards of the YMCA of Cherokee County, March of Dimes, United Way, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the Anna Crawford Children’s Center.
He also was a member of the Rotary Club of Canton.
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