To the Editor:

Since choosing to make Canton home in 2013, I made it a point to get involved in the community as many ways as I possibly could. In that time, four faces have kept popping up at various community events. Those faces belong to four candidates for office in the Village and Town of Canton: Carol Pynchon, Sean O’Brien, Bob Washo and Rosemary Philips.

I have had the privilege of serving with Carol Pynchon on the Canton Village Board over the past year. Carol’s passion and dedication for serving Canton are seen in her tackling issues of sustainability and community development. It would be a great thing for Canton to have Carol Pynchon on the Village Board for another term.

Alongside Carol, electing Sean O’Brien Village Trustee would be another victory for Canton. Sean and I have had many conversations about issues around zoning and code enforcement throughout the village. Because of Sean's position on the Village Planning Board, he has a firm grasp on the Village Code and zoning issues. These issues will play a major role in the coming years as Canton looks to undertake a new Comprehensive Plan, the likes of which Canton has not seen in nearly fifty years. Sean has the drive and know-how to be a great Village Trustee.

In terms of the Town of Canton Board, Rosemary Philips and Bob Washo would be excellent additions. Rosemary is active within the community, plays with a great local string band and has a solid handle on the law. Rosemary’s perspective is one that would serve the Town of Canton well, and would help bring greater collaboration between the village and town.

Last and certainly not least is Bob Washo. Bob is an excellent candidate for office in the Town of Canton. His dedication on issues of sustainability is apparent from his daily life as well as his service on the sustainability committee. He values transparency and openness in government, which is one of the reasons for the past several years he has been attending as many board meetings of the Village and Town as he can. Bob has been incredibly active in the Canton-Potsdam 2020 Facebook group, consistently linking articles of interest for our local area to help community members be better informed. I wholeheartedly support Bob Washo’s pursuit of a position on the Canton Town Board.

Be sure to take the next step and get out to the polls Tuesday November 3rd and vote for Carol Pynchon, Sean O’Brien, Rosemary Philips and Bob Washo.

Dwight Stevenson

Canton Village Trustee