Workers gathered outside Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill last week to hear one final blast from the steam whistle. After more than 115 years, the mill in the small Western North Carolina mountain town is shutting down.
No one living can remember a time when there wasn’t a paper mill at the heart of Canton. Now, after 115 years in operation, it all comes down to three.
Canton town manager resigns Friday, May 14, 2021
Jason Burrell, an integral part of the town of Canton’s administration for the past 12 years and town manager for the past four, has resigned.
“The board has voted unanimously tonight at our board meeting to accept the letter of resignation from Jason Burrell,” said Mayor Pro Temp Gail Mull after a meeting of the Canton Board of Aldermen/women on May 13. “Speaking for the board and in my position as mayor pro temp, we want to thank Mr. Burrell for his years of service to the town. Canton has made incredible strides during this time, and we are eternally grateful for the hard work, dedication and the sacrifices that Mr. Burrell has given for the many successes that we have seen during his tenure. We wish Mr. Burrell the very best in his future endeavors.”
All signs point to Canton’s continuing renewal New street signs will soon come to Canton, courtesy of the Cruso Endowment. Town of Canton photos
Another aesthetic improvement to Canton’s emerging downtown business district rundown and dilapidated for years, until recently will soon welcome residents and visitors alike with a sense of style befitting the mountain mill town’s historic character.
“There’s a lot of things we’d love to do in Canton, but we are on a very tight budget,” said Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers. “The Cruso Endowment has offered to pay for several historic signs that will be installed in our downtown district.”
Sen. Kevin Corbin
Violence and looting by anyone, for any political cause, is wrong and illegal. The riot yesterday as well as the riots that have taken place over the past few months have been well documented by television stations as well as dozens of cell phone recordings. These people should be easily identified and held accountable for damages and charges like breaking and entering.
The time has long passed for the microphone to be passed to those who want civility and honest conversations. In the past few months, including yesterday in Washington, there have been sincere people who truly want their cause heard. In addition to the sincere protesters, there have been instigators or “agitators” that have escalated the events to property damage and injury to persons.