Canton, Massillon and Alliance mayors outline their priorities at chamber forum

CANTON – The three new leaders of Stark County's largest cities say collaboration is key to ensuring their communities succeed.

During a Stark Forum on Friday hosted by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Alliance Mayor Andrew Grove, Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II and Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz were joined by Stark County Commissioner Janet Weir Creighton to talk about their communities.

Chamber President and CEO Jeff Dafler, who moderated the event, said the forums were created as a "high-level community conversation around important topics." Friday's event at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Nash Family Event and Conference Center was the first one this year.

Slutz and Sherer were elected to office in November, and Grove was appointed to the job last August.

The leaders discussed a variety of topics, including safety, addiction, mental health, economic development and jobs.

Each of the mayors acknowledged they have their priorities for the success of their communities, but understand the value of working together.

Jamie Slutz: 'At some point, we have to work together.'

"I can't say my focus is not on Massillon," Slutz said. "But at some point, we have to work together. If Canton is successful and Alliance is successful, Massillon has nothing but to be successful."

Slutz said the mayors have already begun discussing ways to work together.

Sherer said his administration has been approached by Alliance officials asking for help in the fight against blight in their city. The city also collaborates with other communities for wastewater management and is working with the county to launch fiber internet service.

"It's going to take all of us working together," Sherer said. "When I think about economic development, townships have more land for economic development but cities have the resources to make the development a reality. It takes all of us working together."

Canton: William Sherer wants to keep Canton moving forward

He cited Joint Economic Development Districts that were created to aid the townships and cities.

Grove pointed out that agencies like Strengthening Stark, local chambers of commerce, the Hall of Fame and others throughout the county are part of the glue that will strengthen communities.

Stark County Commissioner Janet Weir Creighton added that Stark County is a team and when everyone works together, the team wins.

With the county's guidance, communities have come together to collaborate on a number of items, including the MARCS radio system that allows safety forces to communicate, the Regional Planning Commission, the Stark Council of Governments and Visit Canton, which represents every community.

Creighton challenged those attending the event to get involved and help move the county and their communities in the right direction.

What lies ahead for Alliance?

Grove, who has a background in hospitality and served as the general manager of Brookside County Club, is focused on the city's economic partnerships, economic development and population growth. A main concern is ending blight across the city.

Alliance hasn't seen a population jump in 63 years.

"It's starting to happen, but of course, you need affordable housing," he said. "We want to provide a good, safe living atmosphere for our residents. That's job one."

Alliance: Alliance has a new mayor: Andy Grove, a former councilman

Mayor Sherer wants to invest in Canton neighborhoods

In Canton, Sherer is working on a plan to invest in Canton's neighborhoods.

During campaigning, the mayor said he heard the same things from residents in every neighborhood — they want to be safe, have streets paved and see investments in their neighborhoods.

The city has expanded its partnership with Wi-Fiber and plans to add 126 cameras. Right now, 155 cameras are throughout the city. Sherer hopes to one day be able to provide internet service to its residents as a city utility.

Canton officials are also working to amend the city's comprehensive plan, adding sidewalks to city neighborhoods and plans to add police officers to the city's force without having to raise taxes.

"We are not going to move forward without safety," he added.

Coming from a background rooted in the Ironworkers Local 550, Sherer is passionate about providing good-paying jobs. An apprenticeship program is in the works with Canton City Schools for city jobs.

"There's a lot of positives but the most important thing from day one was doing a better job of communicating with residents on so many different levels," he said.

The city is in the process of hiring a communications director.

What Mayor Slutz working on in Massillon?

Slutz is said he is working on bringing good-paying jobs to Massillon that will allow people to raise their families and buy a house.

The city economic development director has already met with a few companies about coming to Massillon.

Massillon: Mayor Jamie Slutz outlines 2024 goals: Animal control, traffic patrol on list

He also has plans to hire more code enforcement officers and to strengthen city ordinances to address blighted and noncompliant properties.

Slutz is also focused on addressing the city's neighborhoods and parks that he said were overlooked for years, adding that Reservoir Park is an eyesore.

As a retired Massillon police officer, Slutz said it's important to hire more officers.

Among the county's goals is addressing the aging Stark County Jail. A portion of the jail built in 1960 is in need of an update, Creighton said.

"It's our priority to see the jail construction through to the end," she said. "We need to provide better safety for our safety forces watching those prisoners and give them the tools they need."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Canton Chamber hosts Stark's newest mayors to discuss community