Former Council Member Urges City To Reject County Fire Station Agreement

Editor’s note: the following is a letter to the editor from former Canton City Council member Pat Tanner to current City Council member Bill Grant

On Sunday December 7, 2014, I read the article in the Cherokee Tribune regarding your request for a vote of the City Council on Dec. 18 regarding the acceptance or rejection of the intergovernmental agreement proposed by the county.

It is my hope and desire that the Council votes to reject this agreement and put this matter to rest for good. It is astounding how our city Fire Department and staff are constantly put on the bubble regarding the mayor and council’s support and appreciation for the service they provide the city and its citizens. For the last several years, this matter has come up numerous times, even though former councils have rejected the idea; but here we go again.

I ask you, why is this mayor and council so eager to turn the city’s fire services over to the county instead of doing everything possible to support our fire chief and firefighters? Why is this mayor and council so eager to build a million dollar fire station with city funds and turn it over to the county? Why is this mayor and council so eager to turn over city services to the county? What will follow this move if it is successful; our water department, our police department? As a lifelong resident of Cherokee County and the city of Canton and a former council member, I say enough is enough. You were elected by the citizens of Canton, not Cherokee County. I implore you to get back to the business of continuing to improve and build upon the services that make this such a great city.

If I recall correctly from previous council meeting, is not the staffing and maintenance of the Laurel Canyon fire station already an approved budget item for 2015?

Fire services for this city was initially provided to the city by the former Canton Textile Cotton Mills. However, if my history is correct; in 1916 the citizens of Canton decided they wanted their own Fire Department and began paying individuals to provide fire services. Thus, the first fire station for the city of Canton was established.

Fire Services for the county was not established until sometime in the 1970s. The city of Canton has the distinct honor of being the first Fire Department in this area and the oldest in the county and provided services to both the city and county residents. Our city Fire Department will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2016 and as a mayor and council, you should be working on plans towards this great celebration rather than having our fire personnel wondering if they will have jobs or a department to celebrate. Every year, our city fire services continues to improve, especially via its ISO rating, not once has our Fire Department embarrassed our city or its citizens.

As you may denote I am a strong advocate and supporter of our Fire Department and staff. I do not support the county taking over our new fire station by any means. I do support a mayor and City Council that is in the business of continuing to provide the city services that the taxing paying citizens of this city desire and expect.

I know you can do it and I know you know the citizens of Canton deserve it. Let’s put this matter to rest for the last time, to be heard from no more and move on with more pressing city business.

Just remember once this service and building is given to the county, there is no turning back.

Pat Tanner, former Canton City Council member

What should you read next?

• Canton Reignites Fire Services Talks With Cherokee County
• Canton, Cherokee Leaders Continue To Negotiate Laurel Canyon Fire Station
• Hobgood: ‘Turf Protection’ Has No Place in Canton Fire Services Talks

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