Mayor David Held Speaks to Our Town

By the end of this year the Hoover Company will be closing down after nearly 100 years of operation in our community leaving behind many great memories and a very proud legacy for our City. Unfortunately, there is now a significant economic loss to our fine city with the departure of our Hoover Company.

Since the year 2000 we have lost 2,459 Hoover jobs. Our city income tax has declined 23% over the past seven years going from $7 million down to $5.3 million. In order to balance our city’s income and expenses for 2008, the city will have to make additional cuts of essential city workers and further reduce much needed street improvement projects. Any further cuts of city employees will jeopardize the health and safety of our seniors, our children, and our families.

In order to maintain our essential city services such as Police, Fire, EMS and our capital improvement projects we will need to increase the city income tax from 1.5% to 2.0%.
Here are a few facts about our city income tax.

The city of North Canton has not increased our income tax rates for 36 years. (1971)

North Canton’s current income tax (1.5%) is one of the lowest of any city our size in the state of Ohio.

You will not pay local income tax if you are on a retirement, disability, or social security income.

An estimated 60% of our city residents do not pay City of North Canton income tax because they are retired, or work in another city.

When I became your Mayor I pledged to be open and honest with you. It is very difficult and painful for me to propose an income tax increase to the people of our great city. I strongly believe that this decision should be made by the people of North Canton and not by myself or members of City Council. Therefore, I have asked City Council to place this income tax issue on the ballot for the November 2007 election. This very important decision will determine North Canton’s future for years to come.

Take care and God Bless,

Mayor David Held
Davidheld@neo.rr.com

Copyright 2008 Dansizen Enterprises LLC ~ All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2008 Dansizen Enterprises LLC ~ All Rights Reserved