As the Canton City Council met on September 8, the 2020 census results came up several times during regular business discussions. According to the latest census, Canton has seen a decrease in population by 34 residents over the past decade, going from 346 to 310. Clerk Brock Bergey said this 10.4% decrease is the sharpest decline in population since the 1970 census, when the … [Read more...]
Harmony Council supports EDA’s commercial rehabilitation grant program
Chris Giesen, representing the Harmony Economic Development Authority (EDA), attended the August 10 Harmony City Council meeting to present several matters to the council. The first matter was a commercial building rehabilitation grant for a core area in the city’s downtown business district and the second had to deal with the sale of a lot in the north industrial park. First, … [Read more...]
Canton resident asks council for tax break on “tillable land”
The Canton City Council heard from city resident David Terbeest during its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 11. Terbeest requested the city consider establishing a rural service taxing district that would reduce the tax burden from agriculturally-zoned land within the city limits. Currently, there are approximately 468 acres of agriculturally-zoned land in Canton, making … [Read more...]
Canton residents also voice frustration during town hall meeting addressing nuisance properties
The Canton City Council hosted a town hall meeting on Wednesday, July 14, to gather input from residents about the city’s nuisance ordinance and how the city has been dealing with those who are not in compliance with the ordinance. The town hall meeting began with a presentation by the city about nuisance ordinances. A public nuisance is defined as being a “condition which … [Read more...]
Nuisance properties continue to plague Canton City Council
The Canton City Council meeting got a little hot last Wednesday, but not because the weather brought 90-degree weather to the area. The town hall got warm as council members voiced frustration over repeat offenders of the city’s nuisance ordinance. Clerk Brock Bergey explained that these issues not only costs the city a lot of money each year in court costs and legal fees, but … [Read more...]
Canton seeking new council member after surprise resignation
The May Canton City Council agenda was filled with unfinished business from its April meeting, but before the council could address those items last Wednesday evening, it first had to deal with a surprise resignation by Councilman Charlie Warner. As Mayor Nick Prestby called the meeting to order, Clerk Brock Bergey informed the council he had an item to add to the agenda and … [Read more...]
57-year employee ready for new adventures after retiring from Harmony Agri Services
Tuesday, April 20, was a special day for Jim Austin of Harmony. He not only celebrated his 82nd birthday, but also marked the end of a 57-year career with Harmony Agri-Services. As he reflected on his time spent working at the agricultural center, Austin noted many changes as well as expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with so many excellent customers and fellow … [Read more...]
Canton City Council revisits several issues during marathon meeting
The Canton City Council meeting was in session for over three hours on Wednesday night, April 14, with council members discussing several ongoing issues as well as addressing a few concerns from citizens. Clerk Brock Bergey presented the audit report as well as a slideshow on possible reconfigurations of the city hall to improve staff efficiency and work space. The council … [Read more...]
Canton Council considers altering staff work space at city hall
With the addition of a deputy city clerk, the Canton city staff have been experiencing some growing pains with its work stations. Last Wednesday night, the Canton City Council discussed options for reorganizing the space and directed Clerk Brock Bergey to return to a future meeting with a proposal and possible plan. Bergey explained that the city hall currently has an open … [Read more...]
Sheriff begins informational tour regarding needs for Fillmore County jail
Sheriff John DeGeorge and Commissioners Mitch Lenz and Marc Prestby attended last Wednesday’s Canton City Council meeting to discuss the need for a new county jail. This was the first stop in an informational tour DeGeorge hopes to complete in the next few months with other community organizations and government bodies. DeGeorge explained that he and his predecessors have been … [Read more...]
Houston teen part of inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts
Hailey Alfson of Houston not only hopes to be an inspiration for other young girls, but has committed to being a mentor to help them achieve their goals. As one of America’s first female Eagle Scouts, Alfson sees the importance of being a leader and paying it forward. At 17, she is a junior at Houston High School, where she is involved in basketball and soccer. While in the … [Read more...]
City of Canton to see significant savings following refinancing of USDA loan
Financial advisor Michael Bubany of David Drown Associates, Inc., attended the Wednesday, February 10, Canton City Council meeting to discuss refinancing bonds for the city’s two outstanding USDA loans of 2005. Bubany explained that the funds were borrowed for the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The loans were issued at an interest rate of 4.25% and currently have $346,500 … [Read more...]
Father and son committed to continuing personalized service at Harmony lumberyard
In 1975, a father and son, Jim and Joe Hahn, started Hahn Lumber in Harmony. At the end of 2020, another father and son joined forces to invest in that same lumberyard to continue a tradition of small-town service, offering a full range of building supplies. Gary Nolan and his son Will have purchased the lumberyard and have aptly named their new business Nolan Lumber. While … [Read more...]
Several utility billing issues discussed by Canton City Council
The January 13 Canton City Council meeting began as many other January meetings in the area, with new mayors and city council members being sworn in. Nick Prestby took his oath of office for the first time while city council members Cindy Shanks and Randy Gossman reaffirmed their oaths as incumbents on the council. During the meeting, the council addressed several utility … [Read more...]
Chatfield Alliance seeks to fill gap in promotion, information exchange
Sara Sturgis laughs as she describes the new Chatfield Alliance as a “yodeling cowboy.” Sturgis, who is currently serving as the interim Alliance coordinator, explains that The Alliance serves as that cowboy, lassoing the cows to keep the herd together, helping the herd by providing everything it needs and then standing on top of the hill and shouting that Chatfield has the … [Read more...]