Candidates Tackle Exemptions, Fire Services, Pay Raises

The crowded field of men and women running for the Canton City Council elections took to the stage Wednesday night to answer questions about the city's most pressing issues.

Candidates in the Nov. 5 municipal election participated in a political forum, which was sponsored by the Cherokee Tribune and WLJA radio 101.1 FM, and was held at the Cherokee Arts Center.

With the exception of Ward 3 candidate Thomas Sanders, the rest of the field was on hand to participate: Bob Reilly, Sandy McGrew and Clint Weatherby for Ward 1; Ari Durham and Bill Grant for Ward 2; and Molly Lewis, John Rust and Farris Yawn for Ward 3.

The candidates all agreed that they would not support a tax increase unless a compelling reason was made that would justify hitting property owners with the spike. They also all noted they were in favor of the city leaving in place its senior homestead exemption. 

The candidates offered mixed statements on whether they would support a consolidation of fire services with Cherokee County.

Grant noted the city has a "fudiciary responsibility" to review every possible option. Durham, however, noted he "might" be in favor of a merger, but he's hesitant to fully support one as he would not want to give away the city's assets to the county.

Weatherby agreed, adding he'd be willing to consider a "hybrid" model in which a partnership could be struck where the county and city would collaborate on building one or two fire stations in the general vicinity both jurisdictions are in need of shoring up services. 

Rust said he would not be in favor of a merger "right now," but the city needed to think about the fact that building two fire stations — one owned by the city and another by the county — in the same area "doesn't make sense." 

Both Lewis and Yawn said they do not support consolidation while Reilly noted he'd be in favor of "some sort" of merge. 

Candidates also said that while they understood the pay for Canton council members was noticeably lower than surrounding cities, they did not feel it was the right time to impose the positions with a pay increase.

The council earlier this year voted to increase the annual compensation for city council members to $8,000 and $10,000 for the office of mayor. 

The candidates present also said they were open to ideas that would bring more businesses into the city. Grant, who said Canton "is not a business friendly" city, added the city should consider lowering its business license fees. 

Grant, who said the city's rate actually penalizes small to medium-sized cities, noted he had to pay over $1,000 just to renew his license in the city. Durham called for a "shift of attitude" while Weatherby said the city should look for options to fill downtown vacant space. 

McGrew, who noted the city should also consider cutting down on red tape, added she'd like to see Canton's code enforcement officers step up to the plate and crack down on property owners in violation of city ordinances.

That, she said, will make Canton more attractive to prospective entrepreneurs looking to open up or relocate to the city.

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