Wednesday, November 27, 2002
|
Wednesday, November 27, 2002 |
Cannon looks back on six years on Tyrone Town CouncilBy MICHAEL
BOYLAN During the public comment portion of last Thursday's Tyrone Town Council meeting, a number of citizens came forward to thank Ronnie Cannon for his six years of service to the town and for his friendship. Cannon lost his council seat in the recent election to Mike Smola by 16 votes. He is also an employee of Northwest Airlines, which is closing its Atlanta base, and has been asked to relocate to Minneapolis. Though he will leave Friday to report to Minneapolis, Cannon wants to reassure the town that last Thursday was not his last meeting. "I was elected to do my job until the end of the year and I plan on doing it," said Cannon. "Unless I am called upon to fix a plane on either Dec. 5 or 19, I'll be there." Cannon entered the world of politics in Tyrone six years ago because he felt that not enough was being done recreation-wise for the kids. "Tyrone softball was just starting up and we had 93 girls sign up to play and no field, while the boys had two," Cannon explained. "I also felt that the county wasn't doing enough for Shamrock Park. Now, we have two softball fields, we control Shamrock Park, we have baseball fields for the older kids who used to have to travel to Fayetteville to play all their games." Cannon went on to cite that Tyrone also now has 17,000 feet of cart path, a mile and a half of new sidewalks, 15 acres of space to decide what to do with and a park for seniors being built on an acre and a half in front of Shamrock Kitchen. Cannon also feels that the council has done a good job developing the Land Use Map and development standards. Had Cannon won the recent election, he planned on continuing his service to the town. "In six years on the council I have only missed five meetings. I am very hands-on and involved and check in twice a day. I felt that it would be possible to commute back and forth." Cannon's wife and daughter, a sophomore at Sandy Creek, will stay in Tyrone for the rest of the school year and then will join him. His wife, ..., recently opened Lulabelle's, an antiques and home furnishing store in Brooks. Cannon admitted he was shocked at the results of the recent election and feels that some people were upset that he wouldn't break the law and vote on the matter concerning the Smith estate. Cannon abstained from voting on the matter because he has known developer Burt Clark for a number of years and his wife was opening Lulabelle's with him. "I encourage people to explore the details for themselves," Cannon said. "Call officials or confront them face to face. Don't just listen to what people tell you is the truth." Cannon also wished to encourage the public to stay involved. "The county has proven that they won't give an inch and that Tyrone will have to fight and scratch for everything." Cannon has fond memories of his tenure and the town he has called home. "I want to thank the town for letting me serve and I feel I always did my job with honesty and integrity. I love the town and the people and I hope to return one day. If I win the lottery, I won't be leaving at all."
|
||