Published: August 21, 2008 08:23 am            

'Superman' takes a well-deserved rest

Joe Cannon retires after 30 years' service to the town of Branford

"Superman" is what local folks call Joe Cannon, recently retired from the Branford Town Council. When asked how he got the name, Joe replied "Oh, I don't know, probably because of being able to get things done."

For the past 30 years, Cannon has served this community, where he was born and raised, with compassion and a sense of duty. Some of Cannon's major accomplishments are the sewer system, a new water tower, Hatch Park and the establishment of a 10 percent discount on utility services for those 65 and older.

Almost all projects were completed with grant money, and anyone who has applied for a grant understands how complex and time-consuming the process is.

Cannon has always stood up for Branford and made sure that the "red haired stepchild" received its fair share of county funding. That is one of the things Joe hopes the town will remember about him. He wants to leave his community in the best shape possible so that all residents enjoy the unique and wholesome aspects of a small hometown.

When asked what was difficult about serving, Cannon said that it was the apathy of the citizenry. He said he finds low voter turnout especially disappointing, and wishes more folks would participate in local government.

Cannon retired almost seven years ago from Gold Kist (now Pilgrim's Pride) where he was a broiler supervisor and field representative for more than 32 years. He remembers checking on his growers when the building sides were just burlap, no insulation and no fans. Now chicken houses meet Best Management Practices standards and have computer rooms and high tech equipment to monitor all aspects of efficiency and safety.

Cannon's family settled just west of town in the 1800s and family members still live on that property today. Joe's wife, Linda, retired from the Branford school system in July 2006 after serving 30 years. They have three children, all of whom live locally, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with another on the way!

        

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