Come out on Friday January 19th at the Art's Center and get a glimpse into the growing art and music movement in Canton. Three bands performing: Brian Luther Bowen & The Beautiful Heathens; St. Matthew and The Con-Verts, and The City Council. A lot of these guys are old friends and I am all for local music performed locally, so I will see you at the show.
Welcome to 2007!
Wow, 2007, and I have not been blogging much here on Canton Blogger, maybe I should make it a resolution. Nah, those seem to never work. Fact is I just have not had much to say regarding the city of Canton. Not that there is nothing to say, in fact Canton is becoming known for being a center for controversy, and I get tired of writing and even thinking about those things. Hopefully there will be some positive things to write about in 2007 as our city continues to grow. Please feel free to write an article for the Canton Blogger, my hope is to make this more about the community and less about me. So please help!
Our county and thus the city of Canton is in the midst of national news coverage on this issue of illegal immigration. I have very strong convinctions on these issues as it relates to my profression, and I do not agree that local politicians have done anything about the issue except divide people on the basis of race and culture, and thus have become highly hyprocritical. I would be glad to share why I think this, but not on this blog, I would rather promote community rather than publish my disdain for the actions of some of our public officials. You can find out more about these issues over at Atlanta 575.
On to other things, this weekend (12/9) is another 5k in Canton, I beleive it starts at 8:00am from Cherokee High School, and is a similar run to the Etowah River Run, a very fast and fun 5k. Hope to see you there!
Canton remains a hotbed of growth and controversy. Regarding planned developments in Canton, the world seems to be coming here. Sembler Co. looks like they will begin developing 400 acres in Canton (I-575 and Hwy 20) that will possibly include a proposed site for Northside Hospital-Cherokee as well as an 88-acre shopping center, Canton Marketplace. I found an interesting quote from a Sembler spokesman regarding the developments impact on Canton Creek and the Cherokee Darter, "Sembler tries to be sensitive to and harmonious with the environment around us,” I TRY not to speed but sometimes when I look down on the speedometer, darn it, I am speeding.
Three massive developments appear to be coming to Canton. The Macauley Project, 4,000 acres with 12,000 residential units in Western Cherokee. "Our vision is to create a town-like community that truly respects and enhances the beauty of the land, and also is rich with outdoor gathering places, art and gardens," said Stephen Macauley, president of Macauley. Plans for Canton West, 2,341 acres along GA 108 and GA 140, have been submitted to ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission). The plans include 3,080 homes, 449,000 sq.ft of retail space, 150,000 sq.ft. of office space, and 30,000 sq. ft of commercial buildings. And finally, Newland Communities is planning to build 1,800 homes east of Canton along the Etowah River and GA 369. That brings a total of 7,641 acres, 16,880 homes (total density of 2.2 homes per acre). If we assume 2.5 people per household, that is a population growth of 42,200 people. WOW!
I talked with a Canton City official last week to help me get a grip on the “E.Main St Controversy” and it seems like this should come to a head in just a few weeks. The controversial issue (outside of personalities and politics) is the land use maps. There is one map that the opposition is holding up as their guide to how the land should be used, but the map was never approved by the city as a land use map. The city is and has been working off another approved map. The problem is that there was one ordinance that referenced the unapproved map, thus bringing this map into the controversy. Does that make sense?
On another note, the Taste of Canton is coming this weekend in downtown Canton, featuring local restaurants. Please send me more information if anyone has it. I didn't know about until yesterday, so its not on the Community Calendar.
Riverfest weekend is here again, I will not be making it to this year’s festivities, but let me know if you do. What do you think about Canton’s and Cherokee County’s oldest annual festival? Did you enjoy the arts and crafts? What are some of your suggestions for making this an even better event?
Next week (Sept. 30th) is The Harvester, Canton’s first FREE to enter, Fall festival. Bring the family out for a great day of hanging out in the community and raising support for a good cause.
Speaking of The Harvester, kid’s activities and live entertainment is all FREE! BBQ plates (smoked on location) with all the fixins will be $10 per plate. An auction featuring over 20 items from local gift certificates, theater tickets, UGA football tickets, jewelry, etc. will also highlight the day. There will also be a special drawing for a flat screen LCD/TV for $5 per ticket, must be present to win. This will be a fun day for the family and all proceeds go to Grace to the Nations for the purpose of locating its ministry in Canton, GA to help reach those in need with a Christian witness. I am the director of Grace to the Nations and would love to meet you there!
According the AJC, the City of Canton is discussing the issue of subdividing East Main St. So the debate rages on, one that I still find rather silly, not the debate but the passion which people give to such matters. I talked with Dr. Anderson and their is no doubt that people who have no relationship with this man have verbally abused him, and I sense great hurt has come as a result of the actions of some of the city's residents. Unfortunately, these issues have become all too personal between those involved.
My own personal evaluation is that Dr. Anderson is just in the middle of an old Canton clash. The real issue that no one seems to be talking about is that some of Canton's long-time residents do not particularly care for our mayor, they never have and probably never will, and so they have pounced upon this opportunity to exploit the situation for personal reasons. Dr. Anderson, who really has a vision for this community that includes an old fashioned approach to practicing medicine, is caught in the crossfire. Furthermore I find it ironic that in Canton’s history, Dr. Coker lived beside his hospital right in the middle of affluent Canton. The old hospital, now The Brian Center, still stands as a testimony to this old model of practicing medicine. The old Coker Hospital produces traffic, there is very little parking, and it is surrounded by residential houses, and yet here we are today fighting over something that in our own history provided a great service to our community, and still does if any of us have loved ones in The Brian Center.
The whole politicizing of this rezoning reeks of hypocrisy, and those opposed to the mayor evidently have money to burn, thus the hiring of Georgia's former Attorney General, Mike Bowers. What a classic virile step, maybe someone was thumping their chest with that action. I can just imagine how that decision came to fruition. It is hard not to laugh sometimes at the actions of people, and I would probably be laughing more if it were not so sad. According to Anderson's own testimony attempts have been made to calm the storm, to seek compromise, but they have only been met with resistance and verbal threats. When will all of this end? Where will this end? What have we learned?
Again, I am in favor of Dr. Anderson moving his practice to E. Main St. primarily because I think it would be a valuable asset to the community. This blog is here to promote more community and to give all of Canton a free outlet of expression and to exchange ideas. I fully acknowledge my bias and would love to hear a rational argument that is opposed. I would even be glad to post it on this blog.
Canton has landed another huge development dubbed, Canton West. Check out Atlanta 575 Real Estate blog for all the details. What do you think about all of this growth?
Today I turned 30. Perhaps I should end there and go to bed. But now that I think about it, 30 is new, 30 is different, 30 is really something. I have outlived the life expectancy of most men in some underdeveloped countries in this world. I have survived adolescence, and the twenties.
Possibly, life really begins at 30??? No more, “What am I going to do when I grow up?” No more, “Let’s ride Batman 13 times and see if we can get a buzz!” I saw today where the Fair was coming to Canton, my first thought was not, “Alright! I can’t wait to ride the ‘Ring of Fire’!” instead its, “Man, those rides are painful!” No more being stupid for no apparent reason. At thirty, you have a little more wisdom to avoid all the stupid things you tried when you were twenty.
Thirty, it even sounds older, its not even the first or second integer from zero, its barely even on the medal stand, a lowly bronze of the numerical order, one more digit and even the podium is a distant memory. Thirty, I am now closer to 60 then to 0. Thirty, I remember when my dad was thirty; I thought he was pretty old, I was eight. Thirty, I would be a veteran on any professional athletic team.
Nah, thirty, a great age, I can begin to relax into the man I am called to be. Thirty, and with a beautiful wife, who is still in her twenties and gets even more “smoking hot” with age (credits to Ricky Bobby), and more importanty (or course), she is the ever-increasing supreme object of my love on this earth. Thirty, and with the cutest most precious little joy of a daughter that I love beyond description. Thirty, and still blessed with two grandmothers, both parents and a brother who will always be older. Thirty, not that bad at all, time to shine! Thirty, Jesus was just getting started! Thirty, and look out forty, God-willing, here I come!
If there ever was a controversy in Canton, GA, there may be none larger than the current debate. If you have not heard by now the controversy surrounds Dr. Michael Anderson relocating his practice to 
East Main St. This prompted some residents in the area to begin fighting the proposal of a commercial business moving up East Main St. Residents began putting up signs and forming associations to stand against the commercial business. This then prompted Anderson to counter with welovecanton.org. Now it seems to just be an all out fight, with both sides claiming victory and confusion over what has to be approved??? Maybe some of you can help clarify the next steps in this drama.
I want to open this discussion up to readers of this blog, let’s hear your thoughts. I just want to add I know Dr. Anderson and his wife, they are my daughter’s pediatricians and while the Dr. is a bit quirky, I believe he is a very capable doctor who honestly desires to provide “old fashion” (pardon the cliché) care for Canton’s children. I personally interviewed with him before my daughter was born and as he started his practice, and I firmly believe he has my daughter’s best interest when treating her. So yes I respect him and I would love for him to be able to renovate and practice in historic Canton. Now fire away! Should Anderson be allowed to move? What is the law? Is it already zoned properly? What does property ownership mean? How are we to interpret the CBD? Is there any conflicts of interest between the opposition and city council members?
Does Canton need a true community center? Before you say it already has one, let me define what a true community center might look like. First and foremost, it is free, no membership dues, no usage fees, totally free, donations accepted but not required. Secondly, it is a place to gather, a place to meet, greet, eat, or just hang out. Thirdly, it is a place that serves the common good in which a truer sense of community is developed.
So let’s dream about what might that really look like in Canton, GA? Let’s just assume space became available in downtown Canton for this type of community center. Inside this community center there are big rooms and perhaps a large gathering room with couches, tables, a coffee bar, a large screen television (a 52’plasma since we are dreaming), and other amenities that could be dreamed up. Now let’s pretend that the center would be a source of activities, both planned and unplanned. For example the center opens early for free coffee and conversation for anyone. Then volunteer activities and events during the day for seniors or others to enjoy and participate. Maybe the afternoon would include safe and supervised social activities for teens. Nights might include seminars from gardening to existentialism, or maybe even local artists showing off their creations. The center would be a free place for reunions or even birthday parties. Other events might include viewing movies and documentaries on the 52’ plasma, remember? I guess if I dreamed some more I could think of some other cool things for the center, but what I really want to know is if such a place existed would the community come? Can a physical structure really garner more community? In other words, would you use it? If yes, what would you like to use it for? What other activities, events, or projects would you like to see? Remember we are just dreaming right now, but send me your thoughts.
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