Special to the
Opelika Observer
Ward 5 Councilman David Canon has announced his plans to seek re-election to the council.
Canon was elected to the city council in 2010 to complete the remaining two years of Dr. William L. Lazenby’s term following Lazenby’s untimely death. He went on to be re-elected in both 2012 and 2016.
“I pledge to continue to represent fairly and impartially all the constituents of Ward 5 and all other Opelika citizens; and to listen to their concerns, to help solve their problems and will strive to keep Opelika the greatest city in Alabama to live, work, play, raise a family, go to church and to retire [in],” Canon stated in a press release.
Canon said that there are several projects he wants to see through completion before he leaves the city council. Those projects include:
• Select route, complete plans, secure funds and complete the extension of
the Sportsplex Connector from Andrews Road to U.S. Hwy. 431.
• Paving the streets in the Industrial Park on Industrial Blvd. that runs from
Lake Condy Road to just past Sharpe Street.
• Promote industry for the New Tech Park at the intersection of Veterans
Parkway and US 280.
• Improve efforts to regulate speeding on several streets in Ward 5 and
eliminate heavy truck traffic on streets that prohibit heavy trucks.
• Complete repair of the washed out portion of Rocky Brook Road and damage to the dam.
• Help find the best location for an additional public school in the Northside of Opelika and see the construction of the facility within the next four years.
• Finalize location and plans for a new public library.
• Investigate future needs for and location of another cemetery as Garden
Hills becomes full.
Completed projects during Canon’s tenure:
• The completion of the Sportsplex connector.
• The successful defeat of the proposed granite quarry and completion of the annexation of that land into the city limits.
• The completion of the Opelika High School renovation.
• Continue to revise our zoning policy regulations to meet current needs.
• Completion of the fiber to the home project and the sale of OPS One to Point Broadband.
• The Administration replacing the downtown Christmas decorations.
• Refinancing several general obligation warrants to save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest.
• The completion of several more phases of the streetscape plan.
• The continued revitalization of the downtown business district with new retail and food services businesses.
• Addition of the pickleball courts to the Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center.
• The construction of a new fire station headquarters facility and a new police department and municipal court facility.
About Canon:
Canon is a life-long resident of Opelika and is married to Ann Roberts Canon. He has lived in Opelika all his life. He and his wife Ann have two adult children and six grandchildren. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Opelika where he has held many leadership positions. He has taught Sunday school and was a member of the Chancel Choir for more than 50 years. He and his wife Ann are members of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.
Canon is a graduate of Opelika High School, Auburn University, The Alabama Banking School and the LSU School of Banking of the South. Canon is a retired banker and was affiliated with five local financial institutions during his 38 years in banking – Farmers National Bank, Colonial Bank, Eagle Bank, Charterbank and AuburnBank. Prior to his banking career he worked in his family’s automotive dealership, Canon Motor Company, for 10 years.
He is a member emeritus and past president of the Opelika Rotary Club and he is a past president of the Opelika Historic Preservation Society, Opelika Main Street, Inc., and United Way of Opelika. He served as a board member and treasurer of the Museum of East Alabama. As a member of the city council Canon has served on the Planning Commission and the Lee-Russell Council of Governments.
Canon said that he loves the city, has enjoyed serving on the Opelika City Council and looks forward to continuing to serve for another term. “There are several seats on the council that will be filled by new council members this year. I think it is important that we [retain] council members that are experienced and can assist new council members as they take their seat on the Opelika City Council,” Canon said.
Ward 5 is geographically the largest of Opelika’s 5 wards. “I ask for your vote and your support,” Canon stated. He can be reached at davidcanonward5@gmail.com