Dennis Saunier: Here are the qualities needed in the next Canton mayor
On May 2, voters in the city of Canton have the opportunity to cast their ballots in the primary election that will determine the two party’s candidates for mayor in November.
With only one Republican running, that party’s primary result is assured. On the other side of the aisle, however, five candidates are vying to be Canton’s next mayor.
While primary elections often see far less voter turnout than general elections, the Democratic contest in May has major implications for the result in a city that tends to favor Democrats.
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The mayor of a city plays a central role in shaping the economic landscape of the community. Mayors who recognize the importance of businesses to the local economy can use their platform to promote and support business development and economic growth.
They can create a welcoming environment for businesses looking to set up shop in the city and can encourage their success by striking the right balance between incentives, regulation, and support. Additionally, mayors can shape the overall economic environment of the city, proposing the best uses of tax dollars, investing in infrastructure, and partnering with other municipalities to promote regional economic growth.
Mayors who recognize that sustainable development and job growth spring from the private sector tend to be the same ones who can achieve enduring community vitality and shared prosperity.
In my various capacities at the Canton Regional Chamber, I have collaborated with six distinct city administrations over the last 40 years. As the CEO of the chamber for the past 22 years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside four mayors, each of whom has brought his or her unique approach and priorities to the role.
My observations over the decades have shown me that success is marked by certain leadership qualities, such as diligent effort, the capacity to assemble a top-notch cabinet, the ability to lead with a forward-looking perspective, and a willingness to embrace risk as a vital aspect of progress.
A mayor who is a visionary, comfortable with change and armed with “big ideas” can have a significant impact on the overall economic health of our community. A mayor who is committed to creating a favorable economic climate for business can attract new investment that fuels private-sector job growth.
In addition, the mayor of the largest city in a region must understand that the economic fortunes of the city and its surrounding region are woven together.
Over the next few months, the city will be flooded with campaign mailers, signs, and advertisements. Perhaps the best way to determine your opinion of our city’s democratic mayoral candidates, however, is to see and hear them in action.
On April 4, the Canton Repository and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce will give citizens an opportunity to observe firsthand how the candidates answer questions about their views on some of the most critical issues facing the city.
We are partnering to host this forum because we believe citizens and businesses — including those outside the city limits who understand what’s at stake for our region — deserve the chance to examine how the candidates would approach challenges and opportunities related to business development, quality of life and community strength.
We hope you will join us to learn more from the Canton mayoral primary election candidates on April 4. More details can be found at https://www.cantonchamber.org/2023-mayoral-primary-forum.
Dennis Saunier is president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Dennis Saunier: Here are qualities needed in next Canton mayor
