Cannon a capable leader

As a longtime neighborhood advocate and previous chair of the Community Development Board, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Michael Cannon. I worked with him on the board for several years prior to the time of significant change and transitions as we worked to consolidate three boards into one.

As anyone who has gone through a transition like that knows, it’s not easy. It takes great leadership bringing people together and overcoming the initial challenges. Cannon did that exceptionally well. He brought together three seemingly different boards, listened, included all stakeholders, and ultimately helped facilitate the cultural and operational integration needed to better serve the community.

For the past year, Cannon has led the board in allocating more than $13 million, including Community Development Block Grants, to fund eligible neighborhood projects and services. These neighborhoods and groups have used the funds to rehabilitate homes, repair and improve sidewalks, lay curb cuts to provide wheelchair accessibility, make park improvements and street improvements for traffic-calming.

Cannon is a fiscally responsible proven leader. His ability to bring diverse groups together to work for a common goal is exactly the kind of leadership we need on the Spokane City Council.

Jerry Numbers

Spokane