Canton’s city attorney is following through with a sentiment about retiring he shared with the incoming mayor two years ago. William “Billy” Hasty, Jr., announced last week he was stepping down as Canton city attorney after 28 years.
“When I first went into office, he indicated that he would like to serve a couple of years, then he’d be retiring,” Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood said. “I think he’s done a great job serving the city; he’s advised the city for the last 28 years. He will be missed.”
At a special called meeting Jan. 7, the Canton City Council approved the appointment of a new firm to represent the city.
Hasty, a lifelong Cherokee resident, has worked for six mayors, and he said he’s seen a lot happen in the city and has some fond memories of working there.
“I don’t take credit for anything,” Hasty said.
He said he’s proud of the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, which is something he spent a great deal of time on. Hasty said he remembers walking through Boling Park years ago with a former city manager marking off the jogging trails.
“We worked with the Army Corps (of Engineers) to establish a park we enjoy,” he said.
Other things Hasty recalls as career highlights include doing the legal work and property negotiations for the G. Cecil Pruett Family YMCA, rerouting Ga. 5 so the Riverstone commercial area could be built, acquiring land for the library and helping the city of Canton grow.
“I talked with property owners in the Oakdale subdivision and in South Canton to see who would be interested in annexing into the city,” Hasty said. “We spent months and months on that and established a lot of new citizens.”
One of the most recent city accomplishments of which Hasty is proud is getting Southview Cemetery back under city authority.
“I was fortunate to work with Councilwoman Pat Tanner on reclaiming that and establishing the new city cemetery,” he said.
Overall, Hasty said his legal work with the city has been rewarding, but it’s time for him to focus on other things he has on his plate and spend more time with his family.
“It’s been an honor. I’m very humbled,” he said. “I take no credit; I’ve just been able to work with these people who are dedicated to the city.”
Other ventures Hasty is involved in include his newly elected position on Northside Hospital-Atlanta’s board of directors, chairman of Reinhardt College’s Board of Trustees, president of the Riverview Cemetery association, and board member of the King’s Ridge Christian School. He also said he wanted to focus more on his downtown Canton law firm, Hasty Pope.
“I want to devote more time to my private practice,” Hasty said. “The city demands a great deal of time … it’s a good time to do other things.”
He also said he wants to spend more time with his wife, Linda, two sons, daughter and two grandchildren.
At its Jan. 7 called meeting, the city council unanimously approved hiring Canton-based Dyer & Rusbridge, which also represents the city of Holly Springs.
Bobby Dyer, who partners the law firm with Jeff Rusbridge, who is also is the city attorney for Nelson, was present at the meeting and thanked the city council following the vote.
The agreement with Dyer is for the firm to be paid at a rate of $150 per hour.
