Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1917 — MAYOR COMMENDS COUNCIL [ARTICLE]

MAYOR COMMENDS COUNCIL

For. Record of Past Year's Achievements. MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS And thinks It Advisable to Postpone Building of City Hall for the Present. __ x At the regular meeting of the common council of the city of Rensselaer Monday evening, all members were present. But little business, however, was done except the allowance of claims. Leo Mecklenburg was granted an electrician’s license on payment of the required fee, x An ordinance Was adopted changing the name of Juno street on the west side of the river through lots recently purchased by Dr. Brown, to Home avenue. The city attorney was instructed to collect all delinquent pool table licenses, also to represent city at municipal utility meeting to be held in Indianapolis. The board of finance accepted bids and bonds for deposits of city funds and awarded same according to capitalization, 40 per cent to First National and 30 per cent each to Trust & Sayings and State banks; Mayor Spitler presented the following annual message to the council: 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 maintained the clean and well kept appearance of our streets and alleys,; without increasing the levy for It is necessary to call attention to the fact that the levy for taxatidn 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 i.oi that reason I deem it only , id-1 to you.- to call attention .to the fa» that the increase ifi the tax levy is not. caused Uy you; but -by -powers over which, as a civic .body, you have no control. It is tip to the individual taxpayer to to these matters and demand ;wrth force that cannot - be<deniied;.'a .red form ; in the taxing powers of. the state. -■ - In the .administration o;; my w fairs during the .past year it h- ■ been necessary for. me to employ the strong arm of the law to .enforce, in a few instances, the compliance with our ordinances. This should not be.-. Ev< ry loyal. < zeri should respect the right \ cunforts and enjoyments . . 01.;. everyother citizen. The mes: .u.s» ■ - and annoving thing that I have to contend with is the running of automobiles with the eutj-outs open. This is- contrary to our law, and a great nuisance to people generally, and is not a benefit, whatever, to tiie operator of. Ijhe machine, and I propose, without fear or favor to enforce this "part of the ordinance in every instance without regard to whom the male be. I have given warnings and fined; two or three' to impress upon all that I am in earnest concerning this matter. I trust that it will not be necessary for me\ to arrest anyone for violating section of the ordinance. \ Finance—The report of the city treasurer shows that the various funds of the city 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—Tn my opinion no 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 1s my ambition to have the nitrogen lights installed in a systematic way along the closely built streets of the city. I consider th« ■ 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 condition 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 chief and the firemen our thanks and appreciation for their efficient service. Streets—Attention is called to the fact that in many places over the city growing trees and othet causes have caused an unevenness in the cement walks, which have created slight obstructions liable to trip the pedestrian and cause damage. 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 water. 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 building and teamster's residence, the war that has prevailed for the past three years has caused building material to advance so much that it seems inadvisable to attempt to’ build this much-needed, building until • conditions are more favorable, but T hope that the council will keen this matter in mind and when the opportune time comes erect for this city a monument that Will be a credit to it .and supply its civic needs along that line for many years to come. It is with a feeling of security that we enter upon the last year of our administration of 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. Respectfully submitted, CHARLES G SPITLER, Mayor.