New mayor takes office, old problem resurfaces

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

Canton got a new mayor last week and made a little history.

Lou Ann Gullett Everett became the city’s first female mayor when she took the oath of office May 19.

“I wish you the very best, this council is a pleasure to work with … and I’m sure the new council will be as well,” outgoing Mayor Rick Lawrence said. “The city has turned and is moving in a very positive direction. Keep it on course … be progressive and do good things.”

Before leaving the mayoral post, Lawrence presented plaques to outgoing councilmembers Elisa Heard and Cary Hilliard recognizing their “dedicated service to city of Canton and its citizens.”

“I want to recognize that first of all sitting up here on this dias is not easy,” he said, and on behalf of the citizens, thank you and we wish you all the very best in the future.”

Mayor pro tem Shawn Stewart then presented a plaque to Lawrence. “Not a lot of people sign up for this job not once but twice 20 years apart,” Stewart said of Lawrence’s two terms at the city’s helm. “That says a lot about his commitment to the city. We ticked off some major projects under his leadership and the city’s better off.”

After the formalities of leaving office and swearing in were satisfied, the council voted to keep Shawn Stewart as mayor pro tem.