Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 312, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1918 — MAYOR REVIEWS 4 YEAR’S WORK [ARTICLE]

MAYOR REVIEWS 4 YEAR’S WORK

EXECUTIVE PRAISES CITY OF FICIALS AS THEY ARE INSTALLED IN OFFICE. ‘ • ■ fc > At the regular meeting of the city council Monday evening, Mayor Charles G. Spitler in an address to the city officials praised them for the splendid manner in which they had conducted the affairs of tire city during the past four years. The address of tte mayor follows: January 7, 1918. To The Honorable Common Council: Gentlemen: In complying with the law to present a message to the Common Council at this time it not only devolves upon me to commend the retiring councilmen for their duties, well performed during the past four years, and to point out to the new members those things, which in my opinion, should receive their attention.

I congratulate the retiring members of the last council and those members of it who are to continue as members of the new council upon being able to look back over an administration covering a period of four years and point with pride to the management of the city’s affairs. You have no apologies to make? gentlemen, and I trust you will not lose interest in the public’s welfare in the future. Before taking up those matters that sheuld receive the immediate attention of the council I deem it .advisable to call attention to the condition of the various departments of the city so that all members of the council will be in a position to know what their resources to do with, are. In doing so I first call attention to the city’s finances, and am glad to be able to inform you that they are in a sound and healthy condition. By referring to the last report of the city treasurer you will be impressed with this fact, that all funds have good substantial credit balances: which if conservatively administered will serve to conduct the city’s affairs during the coming year. Your attention is called to the fact that there is at this time no bonded debt against the city. It is true that there are debts against the water and' light plant none of which are due, and also debts against the School City; but no bonded debt contemplated under the two per cent limit. This leaves the city in a good position to erect a city hall, fire house and teamster’s residence, all of which are much needed; but in view of the unsettled condition of material and labor to say nothing of the lack of. transportation facilities in the country, I do not consider it advisable to attempt to build a public building at this time. Owing to the high cost of material the council has not considered it prudent to extend the ornamental street lighting system, and now in view of the necessity of conserving coal and the use of only such lights already installed as are absolutely necessary the action of the council in not attempting to extend this system is proven to have been wise. The city owns and has ready to install water meters for all patrons; but has suspended placing the entire system on a meter basis until such time as the wilful misuse of the city’s water will make it obligatory, for the protection of the health and property of the citizens, upon the council to require the meters installed.

The balance of ten thousand dollars in the electric light fund not only warrants, but it is your duty to immediately apply to the commission for permission to reduce the light rentals one cent per kilowatt. The argument that new machinery may be needed; that the cost of coal has increased and is increasing, and the higher cost of labor should not deter you in this action. A careful study of the balance on hand, E the income per month, and a review of the installation of machinery in the past will convince you that you are not jeopardizing the credit of the fund, by making this concession,' but are exercising the same business judgment in administering the affairs of this valuable institution as you would your own.

The fact that Rensselaer has the lowest fire loss in the state is proof of the efficiency of our fire company and its officers. I recommend that a new ordinance be drafted to keep progress with this live and progress sive organization. In behalf of the citizens I extend to them our thanks and appreciation for their unselfish loyalty. ; It will not be expected that much improvement will be made during the coming year on our streets, and we shall feel gratified if we will be able to obtain the material to keep them in passable repair. I recommend to the street jeommittee that a heavy wire netting be procured and strung along both sides of the inside rail of the'foot paths on the bridge crossing the river on Washington street, and thus close the openings to prevent children crossing the bridge at any point It is dangerous for children to cross' the bridge from one sidewalk to the other on account of'the traffic of vehicles over the bridge. A driver has ho warning that at any point on the bridge some one walking along the sidewalk may attempt to cross the driveway on the bridge without first looking to see that no vehicle is cont-

ing onto the bridge, and the pedestrians as well as the drivers should >e protected from this danger. In my last message I asked that grades be established on all old sidewalks in the city, and the property owners notified to raise their Araiks to grade. The council ordered, this done, but the city engineer j’ailed to carry out the order with the exception of one or two special I still insist that this be done, trust that the council will keep it in mind until it is accomplished. Owing to the law-abiding spirit of our citizens I consider it a useless expense to keep an officer solely for the purpose of mantaining peace in the community, and congratulate the citizens of our city in being able to save that expense by their good citizenship. I desire to call attention to the ’act that the tax levy made by the ast council was reduced under that of the previous year. They were enabled to do this owing to the fact that it is not necessary to raise an interest fund on bonded indebted ness, and other causes. In explana tion of the fact that the total tax evy in the city of Rensselaer is ligher than in any other town or township in the county, I have to say that no other town has three large school buildings, nor nearly the num>er of children to provide educational facilities for, has not the amount of improved streets to maintain, has not the efficient lighting and water systems, nor the clean and sanitar condition of streets and alleys. A careful study of -the cause of the fa'evies will satisfy any loyal citizer that so far as the local authorise are concerned the levies are as lov as can be made, and they should look to the township and state for relief from unnecessary high tax levies. Trusting that you will enter upon the duties of the new administration with interest and a determination to make as good a record as your predecessors, I am yours to command, Respectfully, CHARLES G. SPITLER, Mayor

The following business was transacted following the address of Mr. Spitler: Certificate of election of mayor, clerk, treasurer and councilmen presented and oath of office administered. Mayor announces the selection of L. A. Bostwick as city engineer, J. J. Montgomery as fire chief and Drs. Gwin and Hemphill and Charles Simpson, as members of the health board. The following committees were also appointed by the mayor: Finance Committee—Councilmen Tobias, Wood and Kellner. Light Committee^—Councilmen Wood, Kellner and Tobias. Street Committee—Councilmen Waymire, Wood and Kellner. Sewer Committee —Councilmen Kellner, Waymire and Warner. Fire Department Committee— Councilmen Warner, Waymire and Tobias. ... * ■

F, W. 1 Tobias appointed president of the council. Superintendent of light plant authorized on motion to unload one car of coal fljTbins of Kellner and Callahan, dealers being .permitted to use such amounts as may be absolutely necessary to prevent suffering among citizens, same to be returned to light plant