Politics & Government

Karen Bosch Reflects on Service, Possible Future Run for Office

The two-term Cherokee County commissioner provided Patch with some thoughts on her eight years in office.

Cherokee County District 3 Commissioner Karen Bosch is retiring from her post she's held for eight years on Dec. 31. She was first elected in 2004 and again in 2008, but decided earlier this year not to seek re-election. 

Bosch, 51, moved to Georgia in 1979 and to Cherokee County in 1995. She and husband Bill have five children and one grandchild.

She also founded the Kevin Phillip Mahurin Motorcycle Awareness Foundation, which was recently awarded a grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to produce activity books for young children to help them understand motorcycle awareness and safety.

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Mahurin died in 2008 in a motorcycle crash and the foundation was established to educate both car drivers and motorcyclists about their responsibilities while on the road. 

Bosch is also the managing director of the National Association of Journeymen Linemen, a national non-profit for linemen which her husband Bill help establish.

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Bosch also at one point served as a poll manager, and on the executive board for the Cherokee County Republican Party.

Bosch, who resides in BridgeMill, reflected on her career with Patch: 

1. How are you all feeling now in these last days of your tenure?

I am proud of the work that we’ve done for Cherokee County. There have certainly been some setbacks in the last few years, but overall I feel that we made very positive decisions for Cherokee County.

2. Are residents reaching out to you to wish you good luck?

Yes, I’ve had many residents contact me to thank me and wish me luck.

3. What are some of the proudest moments you have during your tenure

My involvement in the Fire and EMS service for Cherokee County. I am very pleased with the work they have done. I championed getting them the resources and personnel they needed to build a Fire Department that is now regionally and state renowned. I am proud of the aquatic center and the expanded (Cherokee County Regional) Airport with new hangars and the state-of-the-art terminal. I am glad that the Board of Commissioners has been able to show prospective business and industry that we are serious and professional about what we do here and we are willing the think outside the box to get it done.

4. What do you think you could have done differently on any particular issue

Followed my gut instincts on a few important decisions. 

5. Were there any moments that would be considered "trying times?"  

Getting back into the business of governing after the death of my son. The other would be dealing with the misinformation and propaganda that’s been thrown out over the last eight months.  

6. How do you feel about the future direction of the county now

I feel positive about the future for Cherokee County – we have a lot of USP (Unique Selling Points) that will do the county well in the future.

7. Do you have any advice for the incoming commissioners?

I think the best advice I could give is to quote a true leader, Margaret Thatcher: "If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing."

8. What are your plans for the near future

My future plans are to enjoy my family and to take breath and decide what direction is best for the future.  

9. Is there any possibility of you getting back into politics?

I am leaving that door open.

10. What do you want to tell residents who have elected and supported you over the last eight years

Thank you for your support, I have worked as hard as anyone could to represent you and to make decisions based on what is best for Cherokee County now and for posterity. I have made some very dear friendships that will last a lifetime. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been your commissioner.


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