June 1, 2010
Canton Liberty Fest
Thursday, June 17: 4-11 p.m. (Special Sneak-Preview of the Carnival)
Friday, June 18: 1 p.m. - 11 a.m. Movie Under the Stars begins at dusk
Saturday, June 19: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk
Don't miss two fun-filled days with all of the excitement that makes a summer festival spectacular!
You're invited to experience the 19th Annual Liberty Fest, set in picturesque Heritage Park in the heart of Canton.
Enjoy all the summer fun that folks have come to expect: a classic car show lining the banks of Heritage pond; a large screen movie under the stars; summer breezes filled with children's laughter; delicious smells of festival fare; and the sounds of talented musicians performing at the amphitheater.
The undeniable highlight of the festival is the spectacular fireworks that light up the Saturday night sky; our show is considered one of the most outstanding displays in the area. A true celebration of family, friends, and community! Liberty Fest has become a tradition for the thousands who attend this popular annual event. Catch the excitement. Be part of it all!
This month, Canton’s Heritage Park will be alive with the sounds of summer during the 19th annual Liberty Fest on June 17-19. This community-wide event is a celebration of family, friends and freedom. Each summer for nearly 20 years now, neighbors come together to enjoy fantastic entertainment, delicious food, and a weekend full of fun.
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Canton’s Preservation Park you can buy local and shop at the Canton Farmers Market. There you will find fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, meat and other quality products each week. This market is not only great for our community, but it supports our local economy and strengthens Michigan's agricultural production.Summertime brings a wide variety of music to Canton. You can enjoy your favorites on Thursday evenings in Heritage Park or on Mondays in Cherry Hill Village. And in July and August, you can catch a free jazz concert every Friday night on Canton’s Ford Road. Be sure to check your Focus newsletter for artists and locations.
As you can see, summer in Canton means a lot of great activities. Unfortunately, it also means road construction and a lot of orange barrels and detour signs around town. The big project this summer is the widening of Canton Center Road from Cherry Hill to Palmer. That section will be torn up all season with periodic lane closures, but posted detours will enable travelers to easily reach the Library, St. Joe’s, the Summit, and Pheasant Run Golf Course, which will all be open during construction.
On the topic of roads, we are making another attempt to secure a share of the second round of TIGER grant money in order to undertake a large-scale project on the Ford/Haggerty/I-275 interchange. It is our goal to continue our efforts to make that area safer and less congested. I will keep you posted on any developments on that front.
Earlier this year I told you about a new approach the municipal organization is taking in regards to our budget. We have begun the process of a multi-year budget, which will allow us to monitor revenues and expenditures and make necessary adjustments along the way. Our goals are to keep the community informed every step of the way, and remain good stewards of residents’ money.
In related news, Canton’s bond rating on Limited Tax General Obligation was recently adjusted to AAA by Fitch Ratings of New York, a global credit rating agency. This rating shows support for the decisions made by Canton’s Board of Trustees that have put the township in a position to be able to deal with the current downturn in the economy. It is the decisions made over the good years to not overspend, to control costs, build reserves and to address issues early on that have Canton in this good financial position. Despite the poor economy of Michigan and especially Wayne County, Canton has managed to create a community that attracts people and businesses. While the economy is not in the boom times of 10 years ago, Canton still sees slow growth.
Canton recently hosted three community forums in an effort to educate residents on water and sewer rates. The forums were designed to show residents how water and sewer rates are calculated and to answer questions regarding the 2010 rates. The informal atmosphere made it comfortable for the 18 attendees to have an open, honest dialogue with Canton’s Municipal Services Director, Tim Faas, and Finance Director, Rick Eva. This was a great opportunity for all involved to roll up their sleeves and really get in-depth with all questions and concerns about the water rates.
A 3,000 square-foot splash pad is currently under construction at Flodin Park, located between Morton Taylor and Sheldon Roads on Saltz Road. This fun water play area is funded by the Wayne County Park millage and can be found near the existing tennis courts. Construction to this well-fed water feature is estimated to be completed this month. Look for a grand opening celebration later this summer.
Something that we’re really excited about is a segment on Canton that is going to be featured on Inside Business Review with Fred Thompson. This show highlights Canton as a hidden economic gem, and will air once nationally and numerous other times in our regional market. Canton will receive tremendous exposure from this effort. We will be sure to let you know when it will be airing and on which channels.
Until then, please remember that Canton is a safe and vibrant community, and we are committed to maintaining the quality of life you have come to expect as residents. Even with all of the wonderful activities going on this summer season your safety is our top priority.