Friday February 5, 2010 from The Committee to Stop Readdressing in the Borough of Canton

A few weeks ago, Borough of Canton residents received change of address notices. This came as a surprise to almost everyone, as it was thought only those few residents that lived on streets that names had changed would be changing their addresses. Now residents are told that “it’s a done deal” and that “there’s nothing you can do.”

A group of concerned citizens operating under the name “The Committee to Stop Readdressing in the Borough of Canton” has organized to appose the change of street numbers in the Borough. In conversations, the group has found the vast majority of borough residents object to the change of street numbers. The group has also found that the issue is not necessarily “a done deal” and that there are steps that can be taken to revert to the original street numbers. The Committee plans to appose the renumbering on behalf of the vast majority of Borough of Canton residents that appose that change.

The committee also makes the following recommendations to borough residents:

1) Don’t change your address yet. The Post Office has given everyone up to a year to make the change. Wait until this issue has been fully resolved.

2) Call Amy Seeley at 673-5700 and tell her that you are against the change of addresses. Amy has stated that she has not heard from many residents on this issue and assumes people are okay with the change.

3) Stop by one of the many borough businesses and sign the petition against readdressing. Among the are Baldwin’s Hardware, Big John’s Pizzeria, Canton NAPA, Canton Pharmacy, and The Works at Jana’s.

4) If you have the time, attend the borough council meeting on Monday, February 8th at 7:00 pm to voice your opinion against the change. If you wish to speak on the issue, contact Amy at the Borough office to be added to the agenda.

It should be noted that Sayre Borough faced a similar situation in 2006. After receiving address change notices, Sayre Borough residents voiced there opposition to the changes. Three months later, Sayre Borough rescinded the original ordinance and stopped the changes. Three years later, the issue was resolved and about 90-95% of borough residents did not have to change from their original addresses.

The Committee supports the concept of readdressing in the townships, where the current address system make sense only to those delivering mail. A better address system in the townships would certainly help our emergency responders find people in need of help more quickly and efficiently. However, the Borough of Canton already has a city style address system.

The Committee believes the existing system in the borough has worked well and does not need to change. The Committee is scheduled to address the Borough Council on February 8th.

The Committee knows most people are against readdressing in the borough, but our elected Borough Council members and Borough Secretary need to know how you feel. Please take the time to this week to call the borough office, sign the petition at one of the businesses in Canton, and attend the Council Meeting on February 8th at 7:00 pm.

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