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Canton town attorney resigns after 17 years

Posted 2/15/18

By ADAM ATKINSON CANTON — Long time town attorney Charles B. Nash has resigned from his post. The town board accepted Nash’s resignation letter at their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 14. Nash, who has …

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Canton town attorney resigns after 17 years

Posted

By ADAM ATKINSON

CANTON — Long time town attorney Charles B. Nash has resigned from his post.

The town board accepted Nash’s resignation letter at their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Nash, who has presided over the legal issues of the town of Canton for the last 17 years, will officially conclude his tenure with the municipality March 1.

In his resignation letter, Nash said the position had “morphed” into a job that required the town attorney be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

“That’s a greater commitment that I can give at my age,” said the 70-year-old lawyer.

Nash also serves as a municipal attorney for DeKalb, Lisbon, Oswegatchie and Waddington. He said he plans to continue working for those towns.

At the Canton meeting, the attorney was praised by Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley and the town board for his service to the town over the years.

Councilman Bob Washo cited Nash’s professional abilities and credited his institutional knowledge.

“You’ve been around a long time. We’ve covered a lot of ground together,” said Councilman Jimmy Smith.

“Solved a lot of problems,” Nash added.

Nash was born and raised in the North Country and has resided in the region his whole life. According to his business website, he graduated cum laude from the University of Rochester in 1969. In 1973 he graduated with honors from the SUNY Buffalo Law School, after a year of military service in 1971.

The lawyer has worked out of the Nash & Palm offices at 113 Main St. since 1974.

Nash served as Chief Assistant District Attorney from 1980 to 1983 and was an original member of the county’s arson task force.

He and his wife, attorney Cathleen E. O’Horo, have a daughter and three granddaughters. Nash likes to golf, reading and is avid baseball historian and collector, his website said.

After accepting the letter of resignation, Ashley called for a brief recess to “celebrate” Nash. Nash protested and said he would rather if the board didn’t do that and that perhaps those gathered would like to get home early. Ashley quipped that “sometimes you don’t get what you want.” The recess was called, brownies were served and Nash was presented with a maple basket.

When the board returned to session a little later, the board opted to schedule a special meeting for Monday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss and determine the search process for a new attorney to take over for Nash after his departure.