Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-12-08
Mayors Annual Message,

| NENlLEMEN' In accordance with the
General Laws of the State of Oregon,
and In compliance with section 26 there
OF, l herewith submit my annual mes
'ge, showing the financial condition of
the city as far as possible, with what
records are before me-the recorder and
treasurer not having filed their reports
and with such recommendations for the
improvement and prosperity of the city
as deem expedient at this time.
Financial condition of the City
Indebtedness of the city, January l,
| AOOO' ..............,. SSUU,UU
warrants drawn on the CITY since
January l, 1899, shown by the
recorders book 7S6 81
Income to city by liquor license
for year 1899. ............ 10000
income by show license. 49,. $50
Total revenue, $4O2.5O
Total Indebtedness at this date,
from information on file. -. 81 ,084.l1
Resources by city property, esti-
mated .................. 81 100000
There was no tax levy for the year 1899,
There is no bonded Indebtedness.
The above is not bad showing when
it is known that the city has never made
but two tax levies during its existence,
the city revenue coming chiefly from the
sale OF liquor license. Of the city's in
debtedness, the greater part of it is owing
to the city by property owners, mostly
non-residents, who have failed to work
out their street assessments, and the
city has done the work at its own cost
and holds liens on the property for the
amount, and therefore will be reim-
bursed.
desire to congratulate the citizens for
the spirit of improvement they have
manifested during the past year, for I
notice in looking over the records in the
recorders office that the great majority
OF those who are delinquent in street
assessments are non-residents.
| desire, at this time, to thank the
present and past councilmen that / have
served with during my four years. SER
vice for'the many courtesies received at
your hands.
would recommend for your consider
alton that the duties of marshal and
street commissioners be more particu-
larly defined, so as to avoid friction with
the council and the citizens.
have heretofore, in my annual mes
sages, urged the necessity and impor-
tance of some kind of fire protection for
the city, and l would again earnestly and
respectfully urge that the council take
such steps as in their wisdom will give
some protection to our business men.
As it is now they have no protection
whatever, and insurance on one of our
business streets is at the rate of 10 per
cent, and no one can afford to carry
insurance at that rate, and, as a result,
one of our oldest business houses has
recently gone up in smoke and an honest
man is financially ruined; and again,
if our merchants are obliged to pay such
high insurance, those who patronize
them are also compelled to pay a much
higher price for their goods, and people
living outside the city will go elsewhere
to do their trading, therefore all are
interested in this matter OF fire protec-
ton. 1t is not only economy in the end ,
but duty the citizens may expect of the
council, to look after their interests.
1t is duty incumbent upon the city
fathers to carefully look after the general
welfare of all portions of the city, and it
is proper and legal for them to make the
necessary and actual appropriations
when it is in the interest and advantage
to all the citizens and the public at large.
After careful examination, would
also recommend that the ordinances be
compiled and printed, as | notice that
some of the leaves are coming out Of the
book and the city laws should be prop
erly protected, and again, each member
of the council should have copy for
reference.
would respectfully urge that all non
resident property owners be compelled
to comply with the law in the matter of
street assessments. Our citizens have a
just cause of complaint when they are
made to improve their property and non
residents are allowed to godelinquent.
During the past year it has been very
hard to get quorum to do business in
the council, the mayor and one or two
meeting and being compelled to adjourn
from time to time to get a quorum.