By Samantha Sinclair
Staff Writer
Editor’s note: The Franklin County Citizen Leader submitted questions to each candidate running for city offices in the Nov. 2 election.
The questions were: 1. Please provide information about your background, education, past service in government or with community organizations, church and family. 2. What qualities and/or qualifications do you feel will serve you best in the position you seek? 3. What are your plans if you are elected to the position? 4. The proposed widening of Highway 17 would mean a bypass of the main part of town. What does the city need to do to prepare for that possible change? 5. If you had a chance to speak one-on-one with each registered voter in Canon, what would you say to secure his or her vote?
Candidates were welcomed to respond to the questions any way they wished.
Their answers were then used to write the profile stories below.
Dale Garner
Dale Garner has served on the Canon City Council for about 16 years, and is seeking support for another four years.
William Ricky Minish
As promised in June, William Ricky Minish is making another attempt to represent the people of Canon.
After losing in the special election to fill the remainder of Annie Wallace’s seat on the city council, he is looking to fill one of two seats up for election.
Minish grew up in Commerce and graduated from Commerce High School.
He worked at Harmony Grove Mills for 10 years, before going to work for Westing House (Power Partner Industries), where he’s been employed for about 33 years.
He and his wife of 35 years, Mary, have three children, Brett Minish, Trent Minish and the late Crystal Myers.
“I’ve lived in Canon for 40-plus years and care for the city and its citizens,” Minish said.
If elected, Minish would want to see more business growth in Canon.
He said he would also like to see more events in the city, like car shows, to bring in more revenue.
To prepare for the bypass of the main part of town due to the Highway 17 widening project, Minish said the city needs to prepare by informing the citizens of the changes.
He wanted everyone to be able to plan accordingly for travel to and from work and school.
He said he would like to get to know the voters in Canon and what changes they’d like to see.
“In order for me to be the voice of the citizens, I need to hear their concerns,” he said.
Cullen Morgan
After joining the city council this summer, Cullen Morgan is seeking reelection.
Morgan was elected in the June special election to fill Annie Wallace’s seat left vacant when she ran for mayor.
If reelected, he wants to continue the progress that the council and new mayor have made in improving the city.
He wants voters to know that he thinks Canon is headed in the right direction for the future.
“We need to just stay the course and continue improving,” Morgan said.
One way he wants to continue improving is in response the Highway 17 widening project and the changes a bypass of the main part of town would bring.
“The city needs to improve infrastructure in town in order to attract people and business to town,” Morgan said.
He said his service on the city council and experience running a successful business will benefit him in the position.
Morgan has owned Morgan’s Used Cars Inc. since 2007.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Emmanuel College in 2001.
Morgan has four children — three are Franklin County High School graduates, and the youngest is in middle school.