The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-04-07
THE MAYORS MESSAGE
aHis' Honor" Makes Some Very
Timely Recommendations.

lieye that the work will be narmoni- |
Gus and the best interests Of the city
snbserved. AS ! wish to make sug-
gestions to you have concluded TO
do so in writing.
Sidewalks.
The legislature, if it has not al
ready done so, will undoubtedly make
a law enabling property holders to
pay for permanent sidewalks in an
nual payments of five. or seven years.
Our ordinances in regard to side
walks are in bad shape and possibly
conflict. In view of the fact that
hereafter payments can be made cas-
Ter / would recommend that a new
sidewalk ordinance be enacted, pro-
yiding that all the old ordinances be
repealed and that it provide that
nothing but cement sidewalks shall
be constructed; that the quality or
the material and the manner of con-
struction be specifically stated and
that they be laid under the supervis-
ion of the city engineer. Our people
should feel that when they are pay
ing for sidewalks they are getting
value received.
...r Sewers.
There is a necessity for two main
sewers additional to be laid and this
year, if possible. One in Ninth ave-
nue., which will take care of all that
part of the city south of the Rock ISL
and railroad, and the other north or
Penn college, which will be sufficient
for all that part of town north OF
Penn college and east of the Fair
Ground. There should also be some
storm sewers constructed to prevent
the destruction of property, which
annually takes place in this city.
Paving.
Owing to the condition of the paw
ing fund the city this year will not
be able to spend very much money
in that direction, but there is one
street in my Judgment Should be
paved as an actual public necessity,
and that is Ninth street from G ave-
nue. to the cemetery. l am informed
that the Cemetery Association is
ready to contribute generous amount
towards it, and with a public sub
scription that can be obtained from
owners of lots in the cemetery it will
help materially to tighten the burden
of property owners along said street.
There can be no question Of the de-
STABILITY of paving that street, and
I hope the Council will take the mat
ter up in earnest. - ..-
Public Buildings.
The legislature has made it posi-
BILE for cities of the second class to
erect public buildings for. the use OF
the city. In my Judgment, the time
has come when this city should have
a building of its own where it's bust
ness can be transacted and where the
Fire Department can have headquar'
tiers suitable to it's needs. The build
ing we now have is fast becoming di
| lapidated and worn out, and constant
| repairs are being made at a cost to
the city. that is almost useless. We
own ground sufficient for the building
and we should erect such a building
that will be a credit to the city and
sufficient for our needs for years tc
| come. AS the law wisely provides
that the proposition shall be submit
ted to the people the Council should
prepare plans, specifications and con
tracts this summer, so that If the
people desire the building we can be
| DIV To ht1il
,..f ..- Parks.
There is growing demand III n
the part OF our citizens for the est
lishment of park. The law of this
state permits levy in cities of this
size for that purpose. Last fall I ap
pointed a committee to investigate
the matter and report to the Council
but the season had grown so late that
there was but little opportunity for
investigation. am informed that
the Traction Company is prepared tc
co-operat with the city, both as tc
sharing in part the expense and to
construct a line to the park. The
park should be located outside the
city limits and. if possible, in direc
ton where the extension of the street
car line would not only be convenr
ence for the park but would be OF
benefit to the city by drawing trade
to it. I will appoint a permanent
committee to be known as the Com.
mittee on Parks, and I hope that, the
members thereof and the Council will
take the matter up in a business-like
manner and push it to a successful
termination.
Fire Department.
There has been considerable discus.
sion in regard to paid fire depart.
ment; there can be no difference of
opinion, think, as to the benefit of
paid department. Our city is in.
creasing in the number of buildings
and population and greater area is
TO be covered than formerly. But
on account of the financial condition
of the city I am not now prepared, to
say that It shall be established at the
present time. was in hopes that
| the Legislatures would haro ..i,xo.. -.