David T. Button, Supervisor, Town of Canton
Remarks at Inauguration of President William L. Fox
October 24, 2009

During my eight years as Town Supervisor, I have always had a close and cordial relationship with your predecessor and I wish to publicly thank Ann & Dan Sullivan for their friendship & civic mindedness.

As I was preparing my remarks for this morning’s program, I became curious about the history of Town-Gown relations and went back through the minute book of the Town to determine how (and in what way) our paths have crossed.  Those minutes document a rich tradition of support for each other.

As early as February, 1857 (just months after the first students arrived in Canton), University President Thomas Jefferson Sawyer petitioned the Town Board and the Town Board petitioned Governor King and the State Legislature on behalf of the University for $50,000 in support.

The rhetoric contained in the petition clearly reflects how passionate the Town had already become for this institution.  It says “that the beauty, convenience, healthiness of location, ease of access (combined with cheapness of expenses) makes St. Lawrence University unsurpassed by any institution of similar grade.”

The resolution also goes on to say that the people of Northern New York “have long been largely taxed to benefit other sections [of the State] and have seldom been able by legislation to obtain even the most trifling pittance for the improvement of their own,” and that the citizens of Canton “are unwilling that aid should be withheld from or but scantily bestowed upon the University.”  Any attempt to deprive this school of this reasonable request -  the Resolution goes on - would represent a “gross injustice.”

I do not know if the University ever received the $50,000.  But receive it or not, this school survived in the confidence that its concerns were the Town’s concerns and we worked in partnership for the betterment of our citizens.

Bill, “cheapness of expenses” is no longer an earmark of this institution.  However, “its beauty, convenience, healthiness of location, ease of access” and exceptional academic reputation make it a truly competitive university.  And while you have the day-to-day responsibility for making sure that this school continues to thrive during some of the most turbulent times in American history, the Town pledges its continued passionate support for this school and your administration, both as a cheerleader and a partner.  And the citizens of this Town remind you that when it comes to a better school (as well as a better community), we are all in this together!