Canton Residents Split on New Dog Ordinance

The Canton Board of Trustees held a second reading of a new ordinance allowing up to five dogs per household last week.

A new dog ordinance that will allow up to five dogs per household has mixed reviews among Canton residents. According to Supervisor Phil LaJoy, a woman came before the board last month pleading her case because she had four dogs and did not want to get rid of one.  "She made a pretty good case," LaJoy said. "So we came up with an animal fanciers permit now, which is basically you have to pay a fee to do it." Residents who want the animal fanciers permit will be required to pay an annual fee of $75 and submit to an inspection from the Canton Public Safety Department. "We've got to make sure you're going to take good care of the dogs and make sure you're going to be a good neighbor," LaJoy said.  LaJoy said the fee will go to cover the …

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Canton Township Supervisor Honored by Local Boy Scouts

Boy Scout Troop 854 attended Tuesday's Board meeting to honor Canton Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy.

Canton Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy was in for a surprise when he called Tuesday's Board meeting to order.  Boy Scout Troop 854 was in attendance to honor a local citizen who's gone above and beyond for the troop, and that person was LaJoy.  "You hear so much these about the former mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick, you hear about the mayor of the city of Romulus being investigated by the state police, you don't hear about the good things, about leaders in our community who have helped out and done a good job," Troop Chairman Roger Burcroff said. "LaJoy has been a great asset and friend to our troop. He's done a lot of things to help us out." Burcroff said LaJoy has come out to meetings a number of times to give presentations and talk to…

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No Increase in 2013 Water and Sewer Rates for Canton Residents

Canton Supervisor Phil LaJoy said the township will absorb the rate increase so residents will not have higher water and sewer bills in 2013.

Even though Canton Township is faced with an increase in rates from the Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD), residents will not see any increases in their water and sewer bills this year.  "The bottom line is that the rates that Canton residents will pay this year will be the same as what they paid last year," Canton Supervisor Phil Lajoy said. "Even though there was an increase of about 9 percent from DWSD, we're absorbing that increase." Current water and sewer rates are: The township will use $2.15 million of the roughly $5.6 million of access cash in the Water and Sewer Fund balance to go towards softening the rate increase, according to Municipal Services Director Tim Faas. The township conducts a study once a year to determine …

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LaJoy Offers Positive Outlook for Canton in State of Township Address

LaJoy touts increased home values, filled industrial vacancies in fifth address as supervisor.

Buffalo Wild Wings in Canton to Expand, Add Year-Round Patio

Plans call for weatherproof patio dining area.

Buffalo Wild Wings in Canton will offer additional year-round dining space when its current patio is replaced with one that is weatherproof.  The Canton Township Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved an addition and exterior modification to the Canton restaurant, located at 41980 Ford Road.  The addition will be made on the east side of the existing dining area and requires the relocation of its handicap parking spaces to the front of the restaurant and making landscaping adjustments along the front and east sides of the building.  Canton Township Supervisor Philip LaJoy indicated the changes also call for modifications to the restaurant entrance and changes to its signage.  While the expansion eliminates several parking spaces along the …

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New Canton Board of Trustees Takes Oath of Office

New trustees, incumbents swear in at ceremony at Canton Township Hall.

The faces on the Canton Township Board of Trustees might look different when the board hosts its first meeting next week, but Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy said it will be business as usual. Newly elected trustees Steven Sneideman and Thomas Yack took their oaths of office Tuesday at the Canton Administration Building Tuesday by Judge Michael Gerou from the 35th District Court. Sneideman and Anthony will join LaJoy, treasurer Melissa McLaughlin, clerk Terry Bennett and incumbent trustees Pat Williams and John Anthony. While Yack, who once held LaJoy's seat, has extensive experience on the board, Sneideman is beginning his first term after becoming the top vote-getter in a tight Nov. 6 vote, in which he, Yack, Williams and Anthony narrowly…

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First Government Meeting Informative for Local College Student

Mariam Mroueh says she wants to be well-informed for Nov. 6 election.

Submitted by Dunia Jomaa A 19-year-old resident just attended her first Canton local government meeting, and it was a positive experience.  Mariam Mroueh, who lives with her parents in Canton Township, said that she was glad she went to the Oct. 9 meeting of the Board of Trustees, and that she gained much knowledge about where the city stands on such topics as budget, construction and taxes. “This was the first time that I attended a meeting and I'm glad I did. I was never really involved in the city before and now I know so much about where the money is going to and what projects are currently taking place in Canton,” she said. Mroueh said that she is now well aware that taxes and the budget are the township’s major concerns. “I think …

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In Brief: Canton Olympians Honored, Construction Plans Approved

Jeff and Tiffany Porter were recognized for their involvement with the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The Canton Township Board of Trustees recognized 2012 Summer Olympians Jeff and Tiffany Porter for their achievements. "We're happy to represent the Canton community," Tiffany Porter said.  Jeff Porter competed for Team USA in the 110-meter high hurdle event at the London Olympics. His wife, Tiffany, competed in the women's 100-meter hurdle semifinal for Great Britain. Both Porters ran for track at the University of Michigan and now live in Canton. "I agree with everything my wife said," Jeff Porter said to laughs from the room. "If there's ever something we can do ... please let us know." The board approved a PA-190 tax abatement in effect for four years for Procoil Industrial Facilities. Procoil is a steel processing center that will …

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Election 2012: 3 Incumbents, 4 Challengers Vie for 4 Canton Trustee Seats

With Dr. Syed Taj departing Canton Township Board for run at U.S. Congress, 7 candidates vie for four seats.

We are less than one week away until the Aug. 7 primary for local races. The Canton Township Board of Trustees race could be tight, as three incumbent trustees will face three GOP primary challengers for four spots on the November ballot. Democrat Steven Sneideman has no Democratic primary opponent and is already slated to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot against the top four vote-getters from the Republican Party in the Aug. 7 primary.  Check the names below for more information.  Here's a look at who you will see on your local ballot.  If you are a candidate and we have not yet received or published your candidate profile responses, please email john.mckay@patch.com. View Canton Township candidates' campaign finance reports here. Read our …

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Election 2012: A Look at Canton Township Candidates' Campaign Finance Reports

Ever wonder how political yard signs and advertisements are funded? Take a look at Canton Township board candidates' campaign finance reports.

One likely cannot drive through Canton without passing at least one political yard sign for the 2012 election cycle. But who is paying for this, and just how much are these candidates spending to get word out about their campaigns? Under Michigan campaign finance law that information is public record and must be filed with the Wayne County clerk's office. A candidate's committee to elect must file annual campaign statements as well as pre- and post-election campaign statements for elections where the candidate's name appears on the ballot, including the Aug. 7 primary. The deadline for filing pre-primary statements was July 27.  Under state election law, a candidate committee "that does not expect to receive or spend more than $1,000 for …

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