Friday, May 24, 2013
We want to hear your thoughts on the options available to the city for improving fire services in our area.
Concerned citizens and city and county officials were at City Hall last night to have an open discussion about fire services in the City of Canton. Many citizens wanted to know the proposed benefits of either improving the Canton Fire Department under the city's guidance or merging the city's fire services with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens and Commissioner Woody Johnston were in attendance to try to answer questions brought forth regarding county plans. Canton City Councilmen Bill Bryan, Glen Cummis, Hooky Huffman, John Beresford, and Jack Goodwin all shared their feelings on the contentious issue. Patch would like to continue the conversations that began last night in a respectful but…
Sunday, May 19, 2013
A Canton City Councilman continued his efforts to increase compensation for the mayor and council, and the City Manager discussed a problem with the Laurel Canyon fire station site.
Friday, May 17, 2013
A Canton City Councilman continued his efforts to increase compensation for the mayor and council, and the City Manager discussed a problem with the Laurel Canyon fire station site.
The Canton City Council looked at two controversial issues during their Thursday evening meeting at City Hall, including a potential problem with the site chosen for the Laurel Canyon fire station. The meeting saw a first reading of a motion brought forth by Councilman John Beresford to increase the compensation paid to the mayor and council members. The city council had previously voted to approve the compensation increase, but the measure was vetoed by Mayor Gene Hobgood. “I haven't made a secret of how I feel about this,” said Hobgood. He reiterated his position that an increase at this time was inappropriate, especially considering that city employees have not seen raises for at least six years. “I feel it sends the wrong message for …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Can't make tonight's meeting? Watch it live here.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, May 2
The Canton City Council is meeting now to approve a $107,000 settlement with former police sergeant Stacy Bailey and discuss the proposed increase to city sewer and water rates. Open the attached PDF for the complete agenda. To watch the meeting after it wraps, click here and look for the May 2 council meeting video. Related content Don’t miss any of the local news you care about. Subscribe to Canton-Sixes Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Water and Sewer rates may be upwardly adjusted during a future Canton City Council meeting, but discussion on the topic will begin Thursday evening.
The Canton City Council will look at a possible sewer and water rate increase and approving a settlement payout to a former Canton Police Department sergeant during their meeting this evening. Councilman Bill Bryan added a last-minute agenda item to the agenda, which deals with a possible 4.5 percent increase on water and sewer rates for the next five years. The rates were last raised in June, 2011 by 30 percent. A second important proposal before the board is the approval of the $107,000 settlement between the city and former police sergeant Stacy Bailey, who sued the city last year for alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Earlier this week, both parties expressed satisfaction with the settlement. City attorney Robert …
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Councilman Bob Rush said that Councilman Glen Cummin's contact with a contractor who submitted a bid before the process was opened seemed inappropriate.
Friday, April 19, 2013
County Chairman Buzz Ahrens appeared before the Canton City Council to give his personal thoughts on the city's discussion on fire services consolidation.
A special guest was at Canton City Hall on Thursday evening to help the Canton City Council get a more clear picture of all the fire services options available to the city. Cherokee County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens fielded questions from councilmen Bill Bryan and Hooky Huffman regarding the county's proposal to consolidate the Canton Fire Department with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. The councilmen asked Ahrens about the consolidation agreement, which they both felt was highly stacked in the county's favor. One of the biggest sticking points for the councilmen was the over $4 million in fire department assets the city would transfer to the county as part of the agreement. Other issues raised included the quality of …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Can't make tonight's meeting? Watch it live here.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, April 18
The Canton City Council is meeting now to discuss fire services options for the city. Open the attached PDF for the complete agenda. To watch the meeting after it wraps, click here and look for the April 18 council meeting video. Related content Don’t miss any of the local news you care about. Subscribe to Canton-Sixes Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Two motions on the Canton City Council agenda for Thursday evening's meeting deal with fire services.
When the Canton City Council sits down in their chambers at City Hall on Thursday evening, the topic on everyone's mind will be how the city should handle its fire services. Councilman Bob Rush has a motion on the agenda to formally accept Ecological Planning Group's $14,940 bid to perform a fire services funding study on behalf of the city. The study will include a needs assessment, a review of fee rate methodologies in use by other Georgia cities, and a public presentation on the group's findings once research is complete. During the March 21 city council meeting, councilmen had differing opinions on Rush's initial proposal. Councilman Bill Bryan said at the time that an outside consulting group would "de-politicize" the issue, while …
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Councilman Bob Rush said that Councilman Glen Cummin's contact with a contractor who submitted a bid before the process was opened seemed inappropriate.
A Canton City Council member's contacts with a contractor who has asked to submit a bid for the Marietta Road streetscape construction management job are being called into question by one of his colleagues. Councilman Bob Rush said that Councilman Glen Cummins "acted improperly" when he suggested that the contract for the management of the complex construction project be sent out for bids after a quote to do the same work was released publicly. "He suggested we go out for a quote," Rush said. "I objected because once someone gives you a price and you put that price in public record, you put that company in a bad spot and its really bad business." According to the Cherokee Tribune, construction firm Arcadis issued the City of Canton a quote…
Bill Bryan
1:28 pm on Sunday, May 5, 2013
Glen you know good and well that due to Canton's biennial election cycle and the resulting staggered terms of office, no matter when the raises are brought in there will always be some members of the council who will benefit financially from their own vote. more ›