Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1904-04-14

Il
year. Il. M. WILSON.
The exaugural address of Mayor
Bricker was an important feature of
the session and those present listened
with rapt attention 10 the words of
advice from this retiring officer. Ow'
ing to his long illness Mr.. Bricker was
unable TO be present and give the ad-
dress but was read by city clerk, Geo.
Moultou, which was as follows:
Belding, Mich. April III, 1904.
Gentlemen of the Common Council:
1t is indeed a great feeling of re-
gret that am unable TO meet with
you on this last occasion, but circum
stances over which have no control,
namely, my late severe illness, from
| which l have not yet recovered, rem
der 1t imprudent for me to be out in
the evening air, and | wish at this
time to extend to each individual
member of the Common Council as
well as collectively my sincere thanks
| for the unusual courteous treatment
you have shown me in the past year
as the presiding officer of the council
and | can assure you that the friend
ship and associations with you in the
administration of the affairs of the
city, will always be remembered as
one of the brightest periods of my
life.
Now wish very briefly to call at
tention to some of the work that has
been done in the past year and my
views for fnture council.
While it is true that our city is in
debt some more than year ago, do
not think that any previous Common
Council can show more permanent i'm
provements for the money expended,
we have this year caused several miles
Iof cement walks and crosswalks TO be
built and this Is one of the most sub
|stantial improvements and cost the
city as its share some $500, We pur-
chased a most desirable lot on which
to build city hall aud it was at that
time thought that suitable building
for all city purposes might be built
this year, but am of the opinion that
it Is better judgemnt to defer this
plan until some future time. We al
so purchased team and this also |
,consider a good investmen and recon-
mend that the city team be kept at
work this season on repair work and
the Common Council do not attempt
any new street work this year, but
save that amount TO par On the float-
ing Indebtedness and whenever new
Istreet work is done in the future |
would recommend that 1t be done on
the assessment plan AS the charter
provides.
During the close of this administra-
tion the project of furnishing the city
and citizens with supply of pure and
wholesome water, came to us for con-
sideration, the Common Council as
well as myself after careful investi-
cation came to the conclusion that
this was a matter concerning the
most vital interest of our citizens and
we deemed it was subject that the
people should have chance TO ex
press an opinion and we therefore
submitted the proposition of granting
"A franchise to some responsible par
ties to furnish the community with a
system of water works and
you all know the result of the voice
of the voters. Now | suggest that the
new council take this proposition un-
der consideration at once and thor
investigate the problem by
finding what othlr cities of similar
size are doing and paying for water
and get the best possible contract for
the city, think that the installing of
a system of water works is one of the
most necessary improvements that
our city needs.
With system of water works as
sured, your attention should be called
to the total lack of sewerage in the
city and as matter of convenience
and the health of our citizens, a sewer
system Is an absolute necessity and |
hope you will be able to put in COM
plete system under the provisions of
the charter.
am of the opinion that with judici-
Gus care and by doing no new street
work and care in the other expendi-
lures that large amount of the float
ing inde ebtedness can be paid this year.
Now gentlemen of the Common
Council we are about to relinquish
our places for the new administration
and while / could dwell on many more
things of interest such as our paying
the first bonds issued against our city