Leaping Forward in Canton

As I begin my second term as mayor of "The Coolest Small Town in America," I want to thank everyone who has helped Canton begin to fulfill its true potential. During my first four years, our City Council, staff, and volunteers collaborated in unprecedented ways to accomplish the goals established by our residents and businesses in the Roadmap for Success that has guided and focused our work. I recently covered some of these successes in my annual State of the City address, and you can see more details and results in the City's 2023 Look Book on CantonGA.gov.

Since it's a Leap Year, I hope we can find new ways to move our city forward in productive and thoughtful ways. While our collective efforts have established Canton as one of the most respected and innovative cities in Georgia, the work ahead is vitally important. As Henry Ford stated, "Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

I look forward to working with our team to fulfill and optimize the promises in our citizens' Roadmap, and I want to welcome Canton's new council members: Travis Johnson in Ward 1, Bryan Roach in Ward 2, and Farris Yawn in Ward 3. Also, congratulations to Shawn Tolan on his re-election to the Canton City Council. Together with Councilor Sandy McGrew, Mayor Pro Tem Dwayne Waterman, and other City staff, we will hold our first strategic planning retreat in the coming weeks to discuss how best to refine our path forward.

Since February is the month of love, I hope everyone finds new ways to fall in love with our great city.

As I also mentioned in my State of the City Address, our efforts have generated a plethora of new activities, events, programs, and services. Along with our Explore Canton, GA initiatives, I want to continue to build and develop these programs over the next few years, so all residents and visitors can truly and fully experience all our city has to offer. From new and exciting parks and expanded trails along the Etowah River to continued additions to Canton's culinary scene and vibrant historic downtown district, the options to encounter the best of our community have never been better.

Whether you love art and culture, economic development, great food, historic preservation, live music and events, outdoor fun, sustainable development, or other topics and activities, Canton welcomes your passion and commitment. Most of all, I hope you will all consider new ways to share more love and kindness with your neighbors. If we can achieve this, we will surely leap ahead ­— together.