To the Editor:

Over the past four years, the residents of Canton have been well-served by a Town Board under the leadership of Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley. This board ended years of closed meetings and questionable financial practices of the previous administration. Those prior practices resulted in the negative findings of a state audit. The current board satisfactorily resolved those issues by implementing sound fiscal policies and open books.

Under the management of an Independent Town Supervisor and Democratic Town Councilors, Canton taxes were kept below the state tax cap, all town workers kept their jobs during the pandemic, and the town fund balance was increased by 25%.

The Town Council improved efficiency and reduced duplication by developing shared planning with the Canton Village Board. To cite one example, the joint Complete Streets Task Force produced the town-village project to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians on the Miner Street and Miner Street Road corridor between the village and Taylor Park.

We can continue this sound and forward thinking management by voting for Independent Mary Ann Ashley for Town Supervisor, and Democrats Jim Smith, Martha Foley Smith, and Dave Nelson for Town Council.

Brian Gardam

Canton