A bright future for Canton, Mississippi

By Guest Columnist Joy Foy

The Sunday School lesson from the Standard Lesson Commentary used a line from the novel Anna Karenina: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”  
The Sunday School writer mused that this generalization is obvious in that a family’s happiness correlates to its level of commitment, love and respect for one another, while the unhappy family’s turmoil can come from a variety of things, including bad attitudes, unfaithfulness, favoritism, anger and addiction.  

It struck me that this also applies to the livability of our towns.  As long as we all do our part in respecting each other, keeping our streets clean, and supporting our local merchants, we who live here will benefit, and our city will be more likely to appeal to others looking to invest or relocate.   

Will Burwell, the City of Canton’s Building and Development Director, presented a recent program for the Lions Club.  He has only served in this position a short time, but he said he is committed to Canton.  He has moved his family here, and they are building a new home on the back side of the Country Club.  He has children in Canton Academy, and he is also a member of the Air National Guard.  

It was encouraging to hear of the plans that he and Mayor Truly have outlined to clean up Canton and about the companies expressing interest in Canton.  He told us that Love’s Truck Stop is expanding, and the Old Madison Furniture along Highway 43 building has sold.  According to Burwell, the old furniture plant will be demolished, and a new manufacturing company will build and operate on that site.  

An entertainment district is in the works that would encompass the area from the railroad on the west side to City Hall on the east.  It will span from North Street to the north and Fulton Street to the south.  The plans for this area will begin with a thorough cleaning, which will include grubbing of the ditches.  

Bids are being received for cleaning and maintaining all City-owned property.  Every owner with neglected property will get a notice to clean up or be fined.  Burwell talked for more than thirty minutes, without any notes, just telling of good things in the works and new development in Canton, including the new fancy drive through Magnolia Car Wash, owned by Doug Hutchinson, on the west side of town.  Those are all things that should make us happy.

Civic clubs and volunteers alike give time and effort in helping Canton to be a desirable place to live. The Canton Garden Club is working in conjunction with Canton Tourism to keep the square neat and blooming.  The Lions and Rotary Clubs host programs weekly to keep citizens informed of news and development in and around the metro area.  The Madison County Canton Historical Society has launched the fall version of the Old Jail Farmers Market.  The Market is providing good entertainment for the community and a venue for local growers, bakers, and beekeepers to sell their products and showcase their talents.  

The Canton Country Club had their annual 9/11 golf tournament, and, according to Nancy Cline, President of the Canton Ladies Golf Association, they had the largest crowd of golfers ever.  Churches are back in full swing with Bible studies, Circle Meetings, and a full offering of church services after COVID.  When you examine the city as a whole, there is much happening that is very encouraging. More reasons to bring happiness.   

Canton’s attractiveness for investment is enhanced by its proximity to Jackson.  However, another reason to be happy in Canton is the good people and the sense of community that is so strong among those of us who live here.  

Burwell moved here with his construction company for the opportunities available here, but has decided to build a home here, because Canton is a good fit for his wife and children.  Nancy Cline lives in Clinton, but she prefers to play golf at the Canton Country Club.  Her love and contributions of the Club help to attract a host of women golfers from all over to come play.  
Our little country church, Thornton Chapel, has a wonderful Bible study on Monday afternoons at 5:30, where Muffett Hailey is leading a study on “The Power of a Woman’s Words” by Sharon Jaynes.  We welcome all to come and explore the Bible with us.  

We all can tell stories about how our local friends or neighbors have endeared themselves to us through their caring ways.  Our local post office isn’t usually on my radar when I think about the positive things that Canton has to offer.  I usually just take having a post office for granted.  Last week, I mailed pictures, a check and a birthday card from the Canton Post Office.  

In about four days, I got my check back in the mail saying this has been found loose in the mail.  The pictures were some of my children when they were babies and could not be replaced.  I was very upset, so I called Gloria Bilbrew, the Post Office Manager, to complain.  She was out sick with COVID, but took my call.  She explained that the sorting machine in Jackson probably tore my envelope and that my check has a return address, but the pictures had no markings that would match it back to my address for return.  She explained to me how to proceed to locate those pictures. I wasn’t very hopeful at all, but, because Ms. Bilbrew was so kind, I did as she instructed.   

Three phone calls and two days later, I got the birthday card and all my pictures back from the Jackson Post Office, where the sorting machine had indeed ripped my envelope, just as Ms. Bilbrew thought.  

Cantonians have lots of reasons to be a happy family.  Yes, there are a number of things that can cause a feeling of turmoil.  However, with happiness correlating to a high level of commitment, love and respect for one another - all of those good traits are alive and thriving in Canton.  I know I am glad I live here. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Joy Foy is married to James Foy and is a retired Economic Developer with the Mississippi Development Authority. Foy is an active participant in the community of Canton. She is a member of the Canton Lions Club, the Keep Canton Beautiful Committee and the Canton Beautification Committee.