Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1914 — RETIRING COUNCIL PROUD OF ITS WORK [ARTICLE]

RETIRING COUNCIL PROUD OF ITS WORK

Many Substantial Things Done During Pour Years Just Closed —Brief Review.

The administration just closed In this city has been -one of accomplishment and Mayor Meyers and the retiring councilmen and all connected with it have just cause for pride, and all residents of the city share in the feeling of satisfaction that Rensselaer has had four years of forward movement that has added many substantial things to our municipal well being. The recounting of the things at this time seems quite proper and in order that the retiring officals may not be accused of ndulging in self-laudation, we wish to explain that the appended review was prepared by the writer without the knowledge of any member of the council and that the notes were procured before they were even shown to Mayor Meyers. We believe that the mayor and the eouncilmen have labored with the single purpose of efficient service and of the upbuilding of our cty along substantial lines and we bleieve that their administraton wll stand out as an epoch of unequaled progress. _ , . .7 ■' , The followng things were done within the past four years: Day service for lights inaugurate edd. This required the installation of many new electric light wires, particularly of the heavier wires for the conducting of the power current, and the installation of meters at a cost of about $6,500. All of this was paid Ifor in cash, the bonded indebtedness of the city not having been increased. The installation of a new motor pump and new engine at the light, plat, which was the closing act of the administration. This was paid for by cash and all cash discounts were secured. The buldinfer of the new high high school. This was directed mainly by the school board and the bonds, all except $5,000, were sold by the School city. When the building plans exceeded the cost as originally planned, however, the council agreed to the Issue of $5,000 in bonds to pay the 'building out. This caused the abandonment by the council of a plan to erect a modern city hall, whioh Is one of the regrets of the administration. The placing of the macadamized streets build under the township road law under the keeping of the county. This is done in other cities and makes possible the saving of considerable money each year. The road fond, which always ran close to the edge and frequently had an overdraft, now has about $2,500 In the fund. A more advanced policy In the cleaning of streets and alleys. The practice of using the city team to haul coal was discontinued and an extra man was employed to assist in cleaning the streets and alleys. Ash piles that formerly adorned front streets were ordered removed and residents prohibited from dumping ashes In the streets. The main streets of the town are policed frequently and the sanitation is thus very much improved. Parks improved. The administration took an advanced step in making out parks attractive and in having them mowed and kept in nice condition. Mllfoy Park is now one of the prettiest little parks to be found in any small city. Sewers built. A number of sewers were constructed and many street crossings made. Vacant lots kept dean. More attention was paid toward requiring the owners of unimproved property to keep the weeds down and the grass mowed. The spirit of pride was generally taken up by property owners and all over the city was the “get dean and keep clean” spirit in evidence and the result most beneficial. NEW FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS—The council, on the advice of Fire Chief Montgomery, bought and paid tor considerable new fire fighting apparatus; practically rebuilt the hose waogn, purchased new hose and a new Chemical tank which Is attached to tbe wagon. These things helped to develop our splendid Are company, whieh is unequaled In the country. Extended street lights. Several new arc lights were put up, extending the lights to the more remote parts of town. There are now 46 are lights and 80 Incandescent street lights. There Is probably not a better lighted town In the state. The scheme for duster lights in the business district was discussed and was one of the plans of the council which It was unable to car ry out before the close of the administration. The light plant Is on a splendidly paying basis and it was one of the plans to reduce the cost of lighting to consumer*

and this will probably be done a little later by the new administration. No tax levied to pay interest There was no tax levied to pay the interest or principal on the light or water bonds. The receipts from these utilities proved not only selfsupporting but provided tor the payment of interest and the principal as the bonds fell due. Bonded indebtedness. The toted bonded indebtedness by the city Itself is $14600. This, of course, does not include the bonds tor the high school or the waterworks, but these things take care of themselves. During the tour years the city paid off $3,500 on the principal of the bonds. «. Taxes reduced. Notwithstanding the increase for the purpose of erecting the school building the taxes were reduced in Rensselaer and the levy for this year is 13 cents less than a year ago. Taxes, of course, are higher this year, but this is due to increases outside of the city, mainly to the increased expenses of the state government. There was not one cent of graft during the administration and ths officers went out with dean hands l and dean records.

Rensselaer is going to grow. The Republican says this every once in awhile, because it is the belief of Its editor. We are stuated right to grow and we have a good, dean town and progressive merchants and clever people. The next tour yean will witness another period of forward movement that will be an example tor neighboring towns, The men who have stepped into the shoes of the outgoing "fathers” will find many .things awaiting their attention and will, doubtless, take hold of it in a busnesslike manner. May they make the same splendid accounting of their service that the retiring officials have is opr sincere wish.