People should keep an open mind about the future of the Canfield community — and talk

EDITOR:

Use the word annexation or merger in the Canfield community today and you better be prepared for an intense response.

It seems that just because local television and newspaper media have also uttered these words, people assume that Canfield is on the verge of having one or the other of these events take place.

A local candidate has come out against it, that seeming to be the campaign platform. If the incumbent trustee has agreed to talk, he must be for it.

On one hand, I am pleased to know that people pay attention to what is going on. However, it is my hope that rather than consume energy and time resisting something with little, if any, facts, and hold to the status quo for its sake, that the community would realize that all that has occurred is that the township and city have agreed to talk.

On the other hand, I agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I love to hear others’ views. I just think that opinions are of little real value without facts. The city and township want to talk, gather facts, and see what can be gleaned of value for the future of Canfield.

Canfield, whether it be city or township, is a wonderful place to live. We are growing because of it. Shall we just take it one day at a time and just see what happens? Is talking about our collective future and exploring various possibilities just too controversial for a township and city called by the same name?

We intend to talk about a feasibility study to determine if there is any merit for the city and the township to proceed with talk about merging into one community.

To speculate whether it would be a combination to form a larger city — or to speculate whether it would be a combination to return to the days when it was all township — is simply that, speculation.

My personal idea is to help fund a study that examines the financial implications of a possible merger between Canfield City and Canfield Township. Its purpose would be to provide objective information that leaders and residents of these communities could use as the basis of determining whether, if, and then, possibly, how to proceed with a proposed merger between the two existing jurisdictions. Through the use of the available data, we will clarify the costs and benefits to each of the identifiable parties in the city and the township. Then, and only then, can any of us have an opinion that is based on facts, rather than emotion, fear, or speculation.

To boldly proclaim that you wish to remain a separate township — or conversely proclaim that you wish to remain a separate city — without even exploring the topic is close-minded, and could be closing the door to benefits that you will never know. Most progress takes careful thought, deliberate discussion, and a vision for the future.

I welcome conversation with my two trustee counterparts and with our friends in city council. I hope that these discussions will be a catalyst to help bring the topic into a meaningful light to see what the future could hold. My sincere hope is that the future of the Canfield community is bright with promise because we all strive every day to serve our community with open minds and apolitical motives.

RANDY BRASHEN, Township Trustee

Canfield