Canton Township Supervisor Honored by Local Boy Scouts

Canton Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy was in for a surprise when he called Tuesday's Board meeting to order. 

Boy Scout Troop 854 was in attendance to honor a local citizen who's gone above and beyond for the troop, and that person was LaJoy. 

"You hear so much these about the former mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick, you hear about the mayor of the city of Romulus being investigated by the state police, you don't hear about the good things, about leaders in our community who have helped out and done a good job," Troop Chairman Roger Burcroff said. "LaJoy has been a great asset and friend to our troop. He's done a lot of things to help us out."

Burcroff said LaJoy has come out to meetings a number of times to give presentations and talk to scouts who must interview a civic leader as a requirement for a first class rank. 

"Pretty much everyone who has gotten that rank in the last two years, has gotten it after talking to him," he said.

LaJoy has also provided a U.S. Flag on July 4 and marched in the parade with the troop a number of times.

In addition, he visits Eagle Scouts, providing them certificates of appreciation from the Township to recognize their hard work. 

LaJoy, a former Boy Scout himself, said as an elected official, he believed it was important to go out and recognize the scouts for their achievements and help them with governmental merit badges and other things. 

"It was something special," he said of the award he received.