Bob Hill, the longtime chairman of the Wake Forest Planning Board, announced at the end of Tuesday night’s meeting that he would be “taking a break” and not asking to be reappointed when his term ends this year.
He said that after family troubles, including the death of their daughter, he and his wife, Jane, find themselves in a calm place where they can enjoy their new grandson and enjoy taking trips to the beach and sights such as the Grand Canyon.
Hill has been a fixture in the town’s political scene for 30-plus years. He and his family moved here in 1976 and he began joining local civic clubs, coaching soccer and T-ball teams in town leagues in addition to his work with McGraw Hill. In 1984 he was appointed to the planning board and served two terms.
He was elected to the Wake Forest Town Board in 1991 and again in 1995, serving through some contentious and troubled times. In 1997 Hill and George Mackie Jr. vied for the mayor’s seat in what was the first high-spending campaign the town had seen. Mackie, who won, spent $14,011 and Hill spent $6,161. Hill was appointed to the planning board in 2000 and has been the chairman for nine years.
In December a year ago he was named as the 2016 recipient of the Peggy Allen Lifetime Achievement Award for his community work during his years in Wake Forest.
His years on the town and planning boards have been “a very positive experience with few exceptions,” Hill said Wednesday. “It has been my privilege to serve and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” And, he said, he may apply to be appointed to the planning board again in the future.
One Response
Good man who has served his community well. Enjoy your breaks Bob and Jane, both of you deserve time for yourselves.