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Forward for All

In many ways, 2020 feels like it has been the longest year ever, but in other ways, the time has flown. Much of the first two quarters was spent adjusting to the pandemic and other rapidly changing issues. Luckily, Canton is fortunate to have an agile and highly motivated team and City Council, and our work has continued.

We recently approved our 2021 Fiscal Operating Budget, maintaining a 5.40 millage rate, representing the lowest taxes since the early 1960s, and once again, the lowest of any city in Cherokee County. Even with projected shortfalls and the rebates of 2020 business license fees to local small businesses, our sound fiscal policies have prepared us for the challenges ahead.

We also have some exciting projects and plans in the works and hope to make some major announcements soon. Our new road map is in full development, and it will be vetted by citizens and unveiled by the end of the year.

Our trail is being extended along the Etowah River, east and west, going beyond Etowah Park over the river and to the train trestles past I-575, and from Heritage Park over to Boling Park. The east trail expansion is on schedule to be completed by the end of the year. You can catch a glimpse of the progress from the I-575 South access ramp on exit 20.

The Mill on Etowah continues to demonstrate the compelling power of adaptive reuse, and this exciting mixed-use development is showcasing the best of Canton’s past while defining vibrant new shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities for the entire region.

In addition to fiscal and developmental progress, we are dedicated to advancing opportunities for the people we serve. While this year has been more restrictive in many ways, we are working to improve our accessibility and inclusivity. In fact, it has never been more important to make sure we are moving Canton forward for ALL citizens.

On July 4, we acknowledged the 244th anniversary of the day our Declaration of Independence was signed, and we need to continue to work to live up to its promise: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

At our July 2 City Council work session, we achieved one of my major goals: the launch of Canton’s first Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force. I, along with each councilmember, made one appointment each. In creating the initiative, I prepared an overview for the task force, starting with this introduction:

“The City of Canton Diversity and Inclusion Task Force will help support the City’s mission to facilitate dialogue and enhance understanding, trust, respect, and representation to create a culture of inclusion in our community that is welcoming to all residents. Working with the mayor, council and City staff, the task force will coordinate, encourage, and implement initiatives and activities to promote an inclusive community that reflects the rich and diverse experiences, values, worldviews, and cultures in our city.”

I would like to welcome our Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force members and thank them for their willingness to serve:

Lorraine Aragon
Tiffany Bird
Carlos T. Hill
Shannon Rankin
Carmen Tanner Slaughter
Kathy Strom

We will be meeting soon to begin our collaboration and discuss our priorities, and I look forward to the work ahead. Together, we will continue to create the coolest small town in America.

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