Soleil Laurel Canyon Resident Elected to Canton City Council

For Soleil Laurel Canyon resident Bob Rush, retirement has been busier than his working life. It’s about to get even more exciting; Bob was elected to the Canton City Council on Nov. 3.

It’s not surprising that Rush would choose a new career in his retirement. His political ambitions were a result of another recent accomplishment, earning a degree in political science. Instead of playing bridge a couple of times each week, he went back to school, thanks to a little known Georgia statue that lets residents over the age of 62 attend a college or university for free.

Rush credits his friends and neighbors at Soleil Laurel Canyon with encouraging him to seek office and then offering him the financial and moral support necessary to win the election. “I had neighbors that worked on the campaign and then many of the residents here at Soleil came out and voted for me,” he said. “It’s been a humbling experience.”

Rush and his wife Joan moved to Soleil, an active adult community in Cherokee County, about two years ago. They knew people who had friends that were buying into the community sight unseen, so on the way back from golf one day, they decided to stop in. They’ve never looked back.

Rush doesn’t take office until January. For now, he still shoots pool and plays bridge a couple of times a week at the Soleil Laurel Canyon Clubhouse. He and his wife are planning a cruise around South America before he takes office. Asked how his friends and neighbors have reacted to his new notoriety, he said they still act the same, “they just kid me a little more.”