CANTON — Amelia Rose believes she has the experience to move the city of Canton forward.

Rose hopes to communicate that message as she seeks a fifth term on the Canton City Council.

The Ward 3 incumbent said she has enjoyed her time as a public servant.

“I enjoy being a representative of the people and serving the public,” she said.

Rose said she wants to focus on improving the city’s finances and working with city staff to correct its computer software-induced water-billing problems.

Rose, 65, also said she’s looking forward to solving some of the larger problems facing Canton.

She said she is in full support of building a third fire station, which she said is needed “for the safety of the citizens.”

She also said she wants to continue to help the city shore up enough revenue for its water and sewer fund to adequately fund itself.

Rose said she lamented the council had to raise water and sewer rates on its citizens during a down economy.

She said the City Council should have done smaller incremental water and sewer rate increases over the last several years.

Rose also said that while she believed the Hickory Log Creek reservoir is an asset to the city of Canton, she wants explore options of reducing the city’s debt burden in relation to the reservoir.

“I would like to explore options to bring the cost under control,” she said.

She also said she wanted to see more discussion surrounding a possible consolidation of the city’s water and sewer system with the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority.

The council member said any talks of a possible merger would have to be advantageous for the city and citizens.

Rose, who lives off Killian Road, is a Canton native and attended the former Reinhardt College.

She is a financial counselor with Northside Hospital-Cherokee and has one son, four stepchildren and 12 grandchildren.

Rose is active at McHelen Baptist Church, where she regularly attends services.

The incumbent said she believes she has the knowledge and the experience to serve Canton residents for fifth term.

Rose said she would continue to have an open-door policy where all residents can share their concerns and ideas.

She also said she hopes to maintain Canton’s small-town atmosphere.

“It’s a pleasant atmosphere because of all the wonderful people who live here in our city,” she said.