Councilman Announces Run For Canton Mayor

CANTON, GA -- The City of Canton's Mayor Pro Tem Bill Grant announced March 24 that he is hoping to change his title to Mayor.

"After much consideration, I am excited to announce my intention to run for Mayor of the City of Canton GA," Grant said in a Facebook post announcing his candidacy. "Those who know me well realize how much thought I have put into this decision. My intent is to keep serving the citizens of Canton in the most productive manner."

Mayor Gene Hobgood announced he would not be seeking reelection at the City Council's Jan. 17 meeting.

Hobgood said he's spent the last 11 years working on two primary goals for Canton: reducing the city's debt and revitalizing the downtown area. He noted he never intended to stay in office for as long as he has, but added those two initiatives took longer to address than he anticipated.

Grant said he agrees with Hobgood’s statement that public service is a calling.

"It has been a true privilege serving as your Mayor Pro Tempore for the last six years, and I thank Mayor Hobgood for trusting me with this position," Grant said. "We have made such great progress in the past few years, and I will continue to work hard to ensure our 'quality over quantity' approach to development generates the highest return on investment for Canton’s taxpayers."

Grant said he is humbled by all the support and encouragement he's received over the past few months.

"I love this city I have called home for the past 23 years, and if elected it would be a sincere honor to serve as your Mayor," Grant said. "I will continue to move #CantonForward in meaningful and relevant ways."

Grant listed some of his accomplishments he has achieved, which include:

• Serve as Mayor Pro Tem since 2014
• Co-Chair of Canton Forward Downtown and River Mill Master Plan that created a strategic direction for adaptive reuse projects, such as The Mill on Etowah and Academy & Main. Helped secure grant funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission to do study.
• Fiscal Responsibility – Helped lower or roll back taxes since in office, reduce debt, solid record of financial oversight. Canton enjoys the lowest taxes of any city in Cherokee County.
• Recruitment of Billy Peppers as City Manager
• Key negotiator for land swap with CCSD to preserve and repurpose Mill Office and Grammar School for Academy & Main development
• Helped plan and launch our trail system and expansion of the Etowah River Walk
• Served on the committee to create Canton’s new brand identity
• Strong advocate of intelligent growth and “Quality Over Quantity” development strategy
• Served on Water & Sewer Master Plan Committee
• Chaired Fire Services Committee

Community Service Prior to Council:

• Helped create Canton Main Street program and served as the first President
• Engaged member of the Canton Variance Board of Appeals
• Citizen member of Canton Charter Committee
• President of Cherokee County Arts Center
• Active member of Cherokee Historical Society

Qualifying for the office of mayor, as well as for the Wards 1, 2 and 3 City Council seats will be held Aug. 19-21 at Canton City Hall. The 2019 municipal election will be Tuesday, Nov. 5.