Page 7 - From The Desk Of Robert J Cannon

7 – FROM THE DESK OF ROBERT J.CANNON, SUPERVISOR reelectrobertjcannon.com Township adopts Ethics Policy
The Clinton Township Board of Trustees, on a 4-3 vote in March 2019, adopted the community’s first ever ethics policy. “I think this is a good set of rules,” said Supervisor Robert Cannon, who noted he doesn’t necessarily need township rules for his personal ethics that he has followed since his youth. The policy shows that the township’s elected officials must hold themselves to a high standard of conduct.
The policy provides standards of conduct for elected and appointed officials. It includes, among other items, limits on gifts, the use of township property for non- business purposes, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, conduct, and provisions to prevent conflict of interest in voting and contracting.
It also requires public filings by the elected officials of property owned within
or adjacent to the township as well as elected officials employers. The policy also established an Ethics Board and the process for filing a complaint for violations to the policy.
The adoption of the ethics policy was the result of various drafts and opinions.
Said Supervisor Robert Cannon: “Differences of opinion do not necessarily mean differences of principles.”
Cannon said “the new policy, if it had been in place years ago, would not have prevented former township trustee Dean Reynolds from accepting bribes that has resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.”
A conversation with Robert Cannon Clinton Township Supervisor
What are your goals for the next 4 years if re-elected??
We just completed our Strategic Plan as well as a revitalization plan for Groesbeck Highway. One of my main goals will be to assure that the adopted Strategic Plan is implemented. This plan was a year in the making and included input from community, business and staff. It is important to honor their work. Also, improving Gratiot and Groesbeck Highway will be a main focus. I will be working closely with our newly hired Economic Development Director who will lead our revitalization and redevelopment efforts along these corridors. We have some exciting projects planned and underway that I’d like to see completed.
As the current Supervisor, what are you most proud of??
Wow, there are many things I am proud of in our township. When I took office we were dumping sewage overflow into the Clinton River during times of heavy rain. This was to protect resident’s basements from flooding during these times due to combined storm and sanitary sewers in the older community subdivisions. Over many years, millions of dollars and steadfast commitment, we eliminated these overflows into our waterways.
I am also very proud of our system of parks. We have some beautiful areas for our residents to enjoy along with award winning senior and recreation programs all without a special millage.
Our fire and police departments are second to none and work continuously to keep us safe and improve response times.
The Gratiot Cruise with 100,000 participants and Festival of the Senses have become annual events that everyone looks forward to. We also honor with Resurrection Cemetery each year and without fail our veterans on Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day as well as Wreaths Across America in January and our first responders on 9-11.
Roads. What can be done about fixing our roads?
All our roads in the township are under the jurisdiction of the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR). I’ve worked very hard getting our main roads as well as our collector roads improved during my time as supervisor. And although we do not receive one penny for roads in taxes from residents or from the State, our Board has supported my budget requests each year to partner with MCDR for main road
improvements. I will continue that. A more pressing problem is our local subdivision roads. Without a special roads millage, which I proposed in 2018, or a significant change in the way roads are funded by the State and county, unfortunately residents will have to pay for the improvements with special assessments. Although we placed a millage for roads on the ballot in 2018, I had 3 board members work against this millage and it failed. These same board members have no solution for the problem. No one wants to pay more taxes, but they do want good roads.
What do you see as the Township’s more pressing issues at the current time?
Local subdivision roads, redevelopment of Gratiot Avenue and Groesbeck Highway and budget limitations are the pressing issues. Our general fund budget has had to be reduced due to reductions in State revenue sharing from Lansing. This means fewer staff and services as well as main and collector road projects in the Township unless the State finds a way to make us whole. This occurred over many years during the 2008 recession and now again with the Covid pandemic. Additionally, as I noted above, local subdivision roads are a serious problem. Under funding by the State over the last 15 years has not allowed for the money to repair and replace our local roads the way they should be. The township collects no money for roads. Gratiot and Groesbeck redevelopment are priorities that I have been addressing for some time. Our strategic plan and Economic Development Director have clearly placed their focus on redevelopment.
Proudly endorsed by Democrats and Republicans
Mark Hackel,
Macomb County Executive – Democrat “Bob is the type of leader I support and trust. He is a public official who is willing to focus on an issue and sets aside the politics as he engages others for solutions.”
Candice Miller,
Macomb County Public Works Commissioner – Republican
“Bob Cannon has been a tremendous partner in water quality efforts. I’m proud to endorse him and look forward to working together on many other efforts to improve our quality of life.”
Larry Rocca,
Macomb County Treasurer – Republican
“As the Macomb County Treasurer, I am pleased to endorse Bob Cannon for Clinton Township Supervisor. Every year his community’s audit earns a 100% rating by Plante & Moran, CPA’s which is the highest possible. The residents of Clinton Township are fortunate to have Bob provide stable and strong fund balances in the general, water and sewer and the police and fire funds. I am proud to be a resident of Clinton Township.”
Anthony Wickersham,
Macomb County Sheriff – Democrat
“As the county sheriff, I endorse Bob Cannon for re-election. I know first hand how important public safety is to all of us and Bob Cannon makes that a priority by investing in top notch police and fire departments. Our county department works hand in hand with Clinton Township public safety for the protection of all residents.”