Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-04-17
MAYOR LAPHAM'S INAUGURAL.
New Hand at the Helm in city Az
fairs-He states His Views
Upon Public Matters.

=
council met for the last time with
Mayor Leonard in the chair. Ii did
not take long to finish up the little
business left for them to transact and
Mr.. Leonard MADE few farewell re-
marks after which they. adjourned.
Immediately afterward the new
Mayor E. b. Lapham stepped forward
and took the chair instructing city
clerk Moulton to call the roll of the
new council, all of whom were
found To be in their places. He
then gave his inaugural address which
was as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL:
In assuming the duties of the Office
of Mayor | do SO with alizing sense
of the Importance of the position,
and the responsibilities. We are
here as representatives of this city
with power delegated to us to tran
sact its business affairs. We should
consider it very important trust
confided to our care and keeping, with
the expectation from our constituents
that we will do it wisely and well.
Let us endeavor not to disappoint
them. or in any way betray the con-
fidence that has been expressed i'm
our abilities, by an honest and earnest
purpose to plan and execute the work
of the municipality in. a business like
manner and for its best interests.
If we carry into the city's work the
same energy and careful judgement
which is displayed in the manage
ment of our own businesss there need
be no fear of the results.
ECONOMY
would advise strict adhearance
in the expenditure of the citv's mon
ey to the idea of economy, and in all
labor required and improvements
made that the official ian charge see to
it that the work is well done. that
every employe under pay of the city,
render faithful service and give full
days work for full days pay.
CITY VALUATION AND TAXES
The assessed valuation of the city
approaches in round numbers Sl,200,-
600. The charter wisely provides that
tax not to exceed one per cent. may
be levied in any one year. Should it
be placed at the maximum. the direct
tax coming into the city treasury as
a revenue with which TO defray the
expenses of the municipality, and
make improvements, would on that
basis be $4,000. This amount is in
creased by the liquor tax, licenses.
fines etc, by about I'll, 400, estimating
on the basis of last years collections,
and making total of Sl3, 400 avail
able for carrying on the city govern
ment.
FIXED EXPENSES
Hhr ufbi-b la ..f
and paid, such as salaries, rents
street lights, pumping, etc, figures
up ~, 700 This is a matter i'm which
there is no room for economy. or
rather additional economy, and which
under existing laws and contracts
must stand, and for which this coun-
Gil is in no way responsible.
INDEBTEDNESS
According TO the retiring treasur
er's report there is lloating ipdebt-
edness against the city of ~, ,923. 20,
and which Is drawing per cent. i'm
terest. This is now due, and may be
paid at any time or continued, as this
council may determine. | would rec
ommend its payment at the earliest
possible convenience The fixed eX-
penses must be paid during the year
while the floating debt may or may
not, as you determine. After setti-
ing this point ii is easy to estimate
the amount available for improve
ments.
The net liabilities of the city, both
bonded and floating, are $751; 20.
of this amount board of trustees APP
pointed 10y the city have d first mort
gage on the Ballou Basket Works
for $4,000 which will be used
to pay $4,000 of these bonds
| doubt If there is another city in the
state OF the same age as this (nine
years. with equal population and in
dustrlal conditions. which can show as
small an indebtedness. 1t is cause
for congratulation by all of our citi-
zens that their former Representatives
on the council have been cautious and
careful in these matters.
The water bonds to the amount of
$4,000 fall due the year 1908. | would
recommend that provisions be made
tor their payment, and TO that end
that an addition of 81, 900 be made to
the sinking fund during the present
year.
| STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
There should be gradual and sub
stantlal improvements each year i'm
the making of good streets. and i'm the
laying of cross and sidewalks. Mater
ial should be adopted and lines and
grades established which will make
them uniform and permanent. To do
this work right and i'm a systematic
manner. grades should be established
by competent civil engineer. eX-
perienced in this class of work. and
all work done, or walks constructed.
either by the citizens or the city,
should conform strictly TO the min
utes OF his survey. The earlier this
work is done the better ii will be
Tor the city's best interests. and the
more easily any mistakes already
made may be corrected with this
done the preliminary work will he
started for permanent improvements
in which all citizens will take pride.
Experience has shown that board or
plank cross and sidewalks are but tenn
porary improvements, and although