Letter to the editor: Vote yes on North Canton's Issue 7 for a brighter future

On March 19, North Canton voters will be faced with a choice: Do we look ahead to a brighter tomorrow that fully recognizes the value of our first responders and our public facilities, or do we fixate on our differences and dream of days gone by?

I strongly encourage my fellow North Canton residents to join me in saying yes to our future by saying yes on Issue 7.

Many years ago − and after growing up and living in other Stark County cities − my wife and I relocated our young family of four to North Canton. Ever since, we’ve enjoyed our beautiful neighborhood, great schools, and Little League baseball. But right now, it feels like our city may be at a crossroads.

The Hoover Co. left town in 2007, but its corporate shadow still looms over the city. To this day, North Canton struggles to replace the lost tax revenue of Hoover and its thousands of employees. Despite that context, at 1.5%, North Canton still maintains one of the lowest income tax rates around and last raised income tax rates a full two generations ago − in 1971.

Since that time, the city has grown in both geographic size and population. Our first-responder working conditions have become woefully outdated and, in some cases, even noncompliant with minimum federal standards. And our prized public facilities, including the pool, are now also in need of significant improvements.

Some North Canton residents seem intent on creating chaos without offering a serious plan for the future, but Issue 7 is a fair and forward-thinking solution to the city’s funding needs. Because of that, I encourage all North Canton voters to vote yes on Issue 7.

Jeff Stocker, North Canton