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Canton Collective | January 2026
Your monthly online newsletter with City of Canton news, updates, and events!
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| Let's be friends! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and if you mean business, connect with us on LinkedIn. | | Get in the loop! Signup to receive text notifications with timely (non-emergency) information. We promise, no spamming. | | Now, let's get you in the know for January! | | New Year Brings Renewed Hope | Mayor's Moment | | |
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. For many, 2025 brought both highs and lows, but a new year always offers space for reflection and renewed hope. There’s no doubt it will be another busy year in the coolest small town in America.
Before we move full speed ahead, I want to pause and look back with appreciation on the service of our retiring Councilor, Sandy McGrew. At midnight on January 1, Sandy completed twelve years and three terms in office, a remarkable milestone. Sandy and I were elected the same year and took office together in 2014, so it will feel unusual not to see her on the dais at future meetings. Rest assured, her service to Canton isn’t finished; we are already discussing the most appropriate role for her continued contributions.
Sandy loves to joke that I’m “the brother she never had and never wanted.” Over the years, we’ve debated plenty of issues, sometimes voting together and sometimes not. No matter the outcome, she always approached each decision thoughtfully, respectfully, and with civility. At our final meeting in December, we celebrated her years of service and recognized many of her accomplishments. Rather than listing them all here, I’ll highlight what I believe to be the most enduring part of her legacy: Councilor McGrew always led with integrity. Through every challenge, she remained steadfast in doing what she believed was right. It’s one of the traits I admire most, among many. And yes, like any good “sibling,” I can also name a few annoying qualities, but I’ll leave those to brotherly affection.
Sandy’s departure leaves a noticeable void on our City Council, particularly as our only remaining female member. Not long ago, the Council was evenly balanced with three men and three women. I’m hopeful that diversity and balance will return in time. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming Darrell Rice, whom I’ll have the privilege of swearing in on January 8. I’ve enjoyed working with Darrell and discussing the issues facing our city, and I am confident he will be an excellent addition. He believes in our roadmap for Canton and, like Sandy, leads with integrity.
Thank you, Sandy and welcome, Darrell. We have important and meaningful work ahead, and I am deeply grateful for all who answer the noble call to public service.
Happy New Year, Canton! - Mayor Bill
| | City Launches Citizens Academy - ACT Canton | | |
Do you ever wonder how a City works? The Academy for Citizens Training – ACT Canton, course provides residents an opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at how the City of Canton operates. Get to know your civic partners and learn how your dollars work to provide services to its citizens, businesses, and visitors.
This program is aimed to provide education on the City’s daily processes, allow participants to tour City facilities in an informal setting, and help build relationships between community members. The program also allows the City to improve our services to the citizens, by receiving comments and suggestions from citizens, and helping create ambassadors that can help share information with others.
The Academy is open to any City resident over the age of 18. The Course will consist of eight sessions that will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays starting February 4, will run for eight consecutive weeks, and culminate in a graduation ceremony on April 2, 2026.
Sessions will include
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February 4, 2026: Your elected officials: Mayor and Council - From idea to action. What it takes to create policies and put them to work.
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February 11, 2026: Finance and Human Resources - Understanding how taxpayers’ dollars work and the City’s workforce
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February 25, 2026: Community Development, Building & Safety Services, and Licensing & Permitting - What goes into growing our community
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March 4, 2026: Police Department and Municipal Court Services - How Canton maintains one of the lowest crime rates in Georgia; IT - A look into the technology required to keep Canton running
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March 11, 2026: Engineering - Civil: Designing and Building Canton. Utilities - Water & Sewer Services, Treatment of Wastewater and Production of Potable Water
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March 18, 2026: Communication and Public Outreach - Let’s get social, Arts & Culture - Beautification and Expression
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March 25, 2026: Public Works - Helping everyone enjoy our community (Live, Work, Play). Maintaining our Streets, Right-of-Ways, and Parks
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April 2, 2026: Graduation
The location of each meeting will be determined by the specific session and will be provided ahead of time to participants. Participants are required to provide their own transportation to each event.
Enrollment is limited to 20 participants. Please note, as enrollment is limited, attendees may not miss more than one session to graduate. Registration will be held Jan. 5- Jan. 30, 2026. Complete the form from the link below, save, and then email to ACT@cantonga.gov
| | To connect with us and request additional information about ACT Canton, please contact Nathan Ingram, Assistant City Manager, at 770-704-1523, or you may send an email to ACT@cantonga.gov. | | Pedestrian Crosswalk Flashing Signs In Prominence Point | | |
New pedestrian crosswalk flashing signs have been installed on Prominence Point Parkway/Keeter Road at the intersection of Village Drive and Holly Mill Village Drive.
After the community in this area expressed concerns for pedestrian safety in this crosswalk, and City officials, as well, observed the line-of-sight challenges, Canton Public Works applied for and was granted a Safety Action Plan Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation - GDOT. The grant funded the installation of these pedestrian crosswalk flashing signs, and will fund a variety of other public safety initiatives throughout the City.
Please continue to use caution through this heavily pedestrian utilized area.
| | MLK Day Unity Breakfast | Jan. 19, 2026 | | |
In partnership with the County/City Government and sponsors, the Charlie Ferguson Community Center is re-launching the MLK Day Unity Breakfast.
On Jan. 19, join the community to hear from speakers including Ebony Steele, National Radio and TV Personality; Jacky Cheng, City of Canton, Digital Content Specialist; Kevin Williams, Chick-fil-A owner, Author, and New Ground Foundation Founder; and Dr. James Marshall Shepherd, UGA Professor and Leading International Weather-Climate Expert
The event is FREE and open to EVERYONE!
| | Council Meeting | Jan. 8 | Agenda Items | | | |
A reception will be held at 5 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium for the public to meet our newly elected/re-elected officials prior to the meeting.
On the agenda for the Jan. 8 Council Meeting includes (but is not limited to):
Public Hearings
- Request to annex and rezone +/- 48.21 Acres for the Purposes of Developing a Residential Subdivision and Commercial Area Along Ball Ground Highway
- Request to Amend Previous Zoning Conditions to Allow Commercial and Office Use in Lieu of Condominiums, Eliminate Required Gates on Private Streets, and Provide Sidewalks along One Side of the Private Streets at River Green Village
- Request to Rezone Property at 264 Marietta Highway from O-I (Office-Institutional) to GC (General Commercial)
Information Only
- Request to Rezone Property Located at 631 Marietta Road from O-I (Office-Institutional) to GC
- (General Commercial)
Old Business
- Discussion Discussion and Possible Action on the 2025 Safety Action Plan Grant -Laurel Canyon Parkway Guardrail
New Business
- Discussion and Possible Action on Appointments of Judges, Solicitors, and Public Defender for Municipal Court
- Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Proposal from Bunker Design House for Canton Theatre Restroom Renovations
- Discussion of Engagement with Granicus to Upgrade the City of Canton Website Platform
For the complete meeting agenda, visit https://canton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
| | Upcoming Events and Meetings | | | | | |
