Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1917 — Mayor Spitler Delivers Message to Council [ARTICLE]

Mayor Spitler Delivers Message to Council

At the regular meeting of the city council Monday evening, Mayor Charles G. Spitler- delivered his an« nual message to the councilmen, complimenting on the way they had handled the affairs of the city during the year just closed. The past year was the third for the present administration. The message follows: Rensselaer, Ind., Jan. 8, 1917. To the Honorable Common Council: You are to be congratulated upon the completion of the third year of your administration for the conservative and at the same time progressive methods you have employed concerning the affairs of the city, having maintairifed the clean and well kept appearance of our streets and alleys without increasing the levy for taxation, It is necessary to call attention to the fact that the levy for taxation in the township, county and state have increased; and when the taxpayer goes to pay his taxes in the city he charges the increase in his mind to the city government, and for that reason I deem it only just to you to call attention to the fact that the increase in the tax levy is not caused by you, but by pqwers over which, as a. civic body, you have no control. It is up to the individual taxpayer to awaken to these matters and demantf with force that cannot be denied, a reform in the taxing powers of the state. In the administration of my affairs during the past year it has been necessary for me to employ the strong %rm of the law to enforce, in a few instances, the compliance with our ordinances. This should not be. Every loyal citizen shobld respect the rights, comforts and enjoyments of every other citizen. The most useless and annoying thing that I have to contend with is the running of automobiles with the cut-outs open. This is contrary to our law, and a great nuisance to.. people generally, and is of no benefit whatever to the operator of the machine, and I propose, without fear or favor, to enforce this part of the ordinance in every instance without regard to who the malfactor may be. I have given warnings and fined two or three to impress upon all that l am in earnest concerning this matter. I trust that it will not be necessary for me to arrest anyone for yiolating this section of the ordinance. '* Finance. The report of the city treasurer shows that the various funds of the cjty all have credit balances, all bills have been promptly met, and the last year of your administration is assured funds to meet all ordinary expenses that 'may arise. Street Lighting. In my opinion ho city of the class

of Rensselaer , has its streets so well lighted; but we are; constantly extending and improving along this line and while material-now is too high to warrant any extensive improvements along this line, it is my ambition to have the Novolux-single-unit-nitrogen lights installed in a systematic way along the closely built streets of the city. -I consider the lights on Cullen street as good a substitute for the boulevard lights as can be had and a good improvement over the former lights along that street. Waterworks. The meters for installation are now on hand and this work will progress as rapidly as conditions will permit. All other departments of the city waterworks are in their usual good conditiop.

Fire Department. The fire department is not the least of our city's blessings, and we cannot pass this subject without extending to the fire committee, the fire chiel and the firemen our thanks and appreciation for their efficient service. Streets. Attention is called to the fact that in manyplaces over the city growing trees and other causes have caused an' unevenness in the cement' : walks, which have created slight .obstructions liable to .trip the pedestrian and cause damages. These places should be watched and repaired without delay in every instance. Also in many places the earth along the walks is higher than the walks themselves, which makes a ditch of the walk to hold wat&r. Where necessary these walks should be raised, and where that is not necessary trenches should be dug along the edges of the walk so as to allow the water to drain away from it. Although we are greatly in need of a city hall, fire department build ing and teamster’s residence, the wai that has prevailed for the past three years has caused building material u advance so much that it seems inad visable to attempt to build this much needed building until conditions are more favorable; but I hope that the council will keep this matter in mind and when the opportune time comes, erect for this city a monument that wiR be a credit to it and supply its civic needs along that line for many years to come. It js with a feeling of security that we enter upon the last year of our administration of our city’s affairs, believing that we will be able to turn affairs over at the end of this year in a sound and well preserved state to our successors, and whether you receive it or not, you are entitled to the approbation and good -will of the community. * CHARLES G. SPITLER, • Mayor. # - •.