Canonsburg Council Starts Planning for the Future

With a light agenda, the Council President John Bevec started the first of several discussions on setting short- and long-term goals for the borough.

“One thing I would like to ask everybody is to try to think outside of the box—think about what you want Canonsburg to be,” Bevec said.

Ideas brought up at the meeting ranged from economic development and tourism to the gas industry, as well as downtown revitalization and bringing new businesses such as hotels and restaurants into the community.

Bevec suggested the possibility of creating an economic development committee to help identify new opportunities and market the town.

“We should do what we can to be as open as we can and have a friendly tax structure,” said newly elected Councilman Tim Bilsky.

Councilman Rich Russo indicated that code enforcement could provide a good foundation for enticing people and businesses to come to Canonsburg and would provide short and long term goals for this committee.

“It’s so important that we make code enforcement a powerful tool,” said Mayor David H. Rhome.

“We all need to work together,” said Borough Manager Terry Hazlett. “If you have 20 different groups working towards 20 different things, then nothing gets done.” 

He also suggested that council work with the state and county officials to take advantage of available funding that may come from private investments, state incentives, tax incentives and other sources.

Council members will prepare their thoughts and goals and continue the discussion at their next meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 in council chambers.