To the Editor:

It’s time for new faces and new ideas on the Canton Town Board. That’s why I’ll be voting for Rosemary Philips and Bob Washo on Nov. 3. Through my 19 years in Canton, I have come to know them both as committed community members with new perspectives and ideas.

Rosemary Philips has worked locally as an attorney for Legal Services, in Family Court and in the criminal justice system as prosecutor, defense attorney and judge, and she knows the Canton Community from all sides, inside and out.

She is smart, compassionate, and fair. I know for sure that on the Town Board, she will look at all sides of issues and work with the Board and community to find creative, mutually beneficial solutions. And besides, she is a lot of fun and will bring essential light, life and laughter to the Board.

Bob Washo has already brought greater community participation to Canton Town politics by raising issues, informing us and inviting us to relevant meetings. We talk about wanting to attract SLU and SUNY-Canton graduates to settle here and invest in our community. Bob is doing it. He is a successful small business owner who is committed to revitalizing our economy by paying close attention to and developing our abundant natural, social and cultural assets.

He is committed to Canton’s long-term environmental health and resilience. He knows the importance of planning for long-term viability – in the community as well as on the farm. He knows that if you don’t have a shared vision about where you are going and a plan for how to get there, you’ll either stay where you are or get lost. And he is well aware of the importance of efficient government and that certain investments today (e.g. infrastructure) will save us all money in the long run and help us earn more too.

Don’t be one of those people who doesn’t go to the polls because we’re not voting for president. The people in local government make a difference. Vote Nov. 3.

Ann Heidenreich

Pyrites