Will Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood Veto the Fire District Ordinance?

Canton residents will find out Thursday if Mayor Gene Hobgood vetoes a .

This afternoon, he said he will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday in the reception area.

Despite pleas from more than a dozen seniors who said some of their poorest neighbors may now have to choose between tax obligations and basic necessities, the  last Thursday voted 5-1 to create a special district that would help the city meet some of its long-term fire service needs and possibly shift some of that burden to elderly residents who have enjoyed a decade of voter-approved tax exemptions.

After the vote, Hobgood said it was "fairly likely" that he would veto the ordinance that establishes the district, which would include a 3.12 mill tax to improve the .

"I don't think it's legal," he said. "I'm not sure you can take away a homestead exemption that was approved and granted by referendum."

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