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Canton Development
By Bob Davidson, Canton
The federal government has announced what all residents of Canton, except for those in denial, have long known. Five square miles of our town are urban—not rural. However, we need not fear, for C.A.R.E. is here.
While C.A.R.E. may take some credit for removing an historic farmhouse to make room for commercial development, they are still at their no-commercial-growth-in-my-town best. They finally realized the degree of resentment their efforts were creating, so they adopted a more subtle approach. They now sponsor information seminars on commercial development.
Notably missing from these indoctrination seminars are speakers who encourage large-scale commercial land use and explain the many benefits to the town in which such developments take place: in-town shopping, in-town employment, balanced development and increased tax revenue, to mention a few.
Recent events in Canton have made it clear that we need a charter revision. We need to have a new name which better reflects some of our more vocal citizens' attitudes regarding any type of development—residential or commercial. I believe this can be done rather easily with only a minor change: instead of Canton, simply reverse the last three letters and we have it—Cannot.
I have read the views of those who would restrict development on the following types of land: wetlands (those which get wet when it rains); bird sanctuaries (any land over which a bird flies); any land in the Historic District or which anyone living in the Historic District doesn't want to be developed; any land on which the Indians or anyone else ever dug a well; any land from which water might ever directly or indirectly run into any stream or river; and any land which can be reached by a road or highway.
Aside from these restrictions, we welcome all appropriate and smart growth, as approved by ___. (You fill in the blanks, if you care.)
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