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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN September 24, 2020

CANTON - PLYMOUTH
CANTON - PLYMOUTH

Canton clerk prepares for Nov. 3 General Election

Canton Township Clerk about the administering of elec- election in Canton history.
Michael Siegrist, like other tions. Step three is to take a Additionally, we are administer-
municipal clerks throughout the knowledge check test. Finally, an ing it at a time when people are
area, is prepared for a large inspector must print and return required to take health meas-
turnout during the upcoming the “new hire packet” to be ures to ensure they do not con-
Nov. 3 presidential election. added to the payroll. tribute to the spread of a danger-
“Canton is able to staff the A person who wishes to be an ous virus,” he said.
precincts using the inspectors inspector who is at least the age “To safely conduct an election
from August, along with addi- of 18 must be a registered voter. in a polling location, we have
tional recruits who have An individual who is 16-17 does changed voting procedures that
expressed interest after reading not need to be a qualified elec- will result in slower moving
our call for help in the Canton tor. through the lines. Voters will be
Focus. Additionally, we Many clerks faced a shortfall required to social distance in
increased the pay to $200 for of inspectors in August, Siegrist the precinct. Voters will be
Precinct Inspectors and $300 for said. required to wait for an available
Co-Chairs,” Siegrist said. “We saw over 130 cancella- booth. Voters will not be inter-
Individuals interested in tions in the final weeks prepar- acting with more than one
becoming Canton precinct ing. This was in large part due to inspector, to minimize contact,”
inspectors can visit www.canton- concern over the public health he added. “If a voter chooses to
mi.org/vote and click on the pandemic. Currently, we are vote by absentee ballot, that alle-
Inspector link. An individual can experiencing renewed interest viates the strain on the polling
fill out an “Election Inspector in the position. The secretary of location and reduces the line.
Interest Form” indicating inter- ctate's office has been actively This results in a calmer atmos-
est and availability, he advised. assisting in recruitment efforts phere and less human errors on
Siegrist's office provides step-by- as well.” Election Day.
step instructions on the website Siegrist foresees a large voter “A consequence of large
about how to finish the process. turnout Nov. 3. “Absentee voting quantities of absentee ballots
Step one is to read the inspector provides a number of benefits (we currently have 30,500 Michael Siegrist
manuals. Step two is to view for the clerk's office when it requests for ballots) is that a tradition of waiting up to see results may take longer to post
videos from the bureau of elec- comes to a large election. majority of voters are going to be who won on election night may than what is typical,” Siegrist
tions and Canton Township November may be the largest voting by mail, and therefore the not have much value. Unofficial concluded.
Local restaurant awards 2 culinary arts scholarships

Two aspiring young chefs Plymouth Canton Educational Greatest Generation he was a
were recently helped along with Park and is in her first year at kind, humble and a hard work-
their career goals by awards Schoolcraft College. She is cur- ing family man,” they added.
from the Karl's Culinary rently employed at Rocky's of “His spirit lives at Karl's today.
Scholarship. Northville and her career goal “The Karl's Scholarship rec-
This year, Sydney Smith and is to be an executive chef at her ognizes the need to promote
Yelim Park were each awarded own restaurant. social responsibility, humility,
the scholarships. The scholarship was created faithful commitment, work ethic
Smith is a second year stu- 5 years ago to honor Karl's and general kindness in the
dent at Schoolcraft College and Cabin Restaurant in Plymouth culinary industry. Since incep-
a second year recipient of the founder Karl Poulos who tion we have helped 22 local
award. She is a 2019 graduate of worked in kitchens for more students pay for college by
the Plymouth Canton Education than 50 years. Poulos, an immi- donating more than $28,000 in
Park. Smith said she loves hos- grant who overcame Nazi occu- scholarships to Plymouth-
pitality, loves food service and pation in Greece and migrated Canton Community School
hope to someday become a food to the U.S. in 1955, lived the alumni with the help of the
director at a resort. American dream, current Karl's Educational Excellence
Sydney Smith Yelim Park Park graduated in 2020 from owners said. “A product of the Foundation,” they concluded.