The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-04-15
Common Council,

[
Common Council Chamber,
OwOssO, Mich, April ii, 1901.
Regular meeting OF Common Council, Mayor
| Stanley Il. Parkili presiding.
Aldermen present at roll call. Sturtevant,
Nichols Lamform, Brown. BrandelI Heyer,
| kigley, Washburn, Campbell
Mayor Parkill presented the following as his
| inaugural.
| GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL
The elect on just passed that has placed US in
charge OF the affairs OF the city for the coming
year carr es with IL two lessons that 1t will be
| wise for us to profit by. Unless have greatly
| have declared for greater economy in managing
| the affairs of this city. ana proper enforce
ment OF the laws regulating our government.
| OF necessity the expense of running the bust
ness of a city OF our re Is large and as we grow
| the demands will be greater, Municipal treas
| uries Are too often considered as easy marks for
plumber; people who are entirely reasonable as
between man and man often do not hesitate
| TO overcharge an impersonal corporation, nor
bs makes IL the auss
necessary that we guard the cities interests as
closely as we do our own.
Laws are made to be enforced, not as orna
ments to our statute books. II a law is unjust
or unreasonable let us amend 1T II we can, II II
is beyond our control. the best way to secure
its repeal is 10 enforce IL. The great majority
of our citizens believe In law and order. Our
duty is too plain to need comment.
1t is expected the officers appointed by this
council Will do their duty and doing 1t that this
council will render them all the support they
walt to be told to do this or that that Is in the
line OF their duty, officers are appointed to en-.
force the law. We expect you TO enforce 1t be-
cause Ii is the law, rot because some one tells
you TO do 1t.
The assessed valuation put upon much OF the
property in this city Is FAR above It's value ana
is great wrong TO our taxpayers. l trust this
coun IL will at once take such steps as may
seem best to call the attention of the state tax
commission to this injustice. and IL possible
have the assessment corrected
Aldermen are chosen by the various wards of
the city, but iJ is not expected because OF this
that they represent that section instead OF the
whole city. You are aldermen OF the whole
city just as much as L am its Mayor. In APP
pointing committees, while will endeavor to
divide the responsibilities, location has not
been deciding factor and IL is expected that
the requirmentS OF each ward Will receive just
and impartial consideration from you all.
This council will adopt certain rules and regu.
lations governing its actions, as the presiding
officer shall expect members TO be governed
by them, The most expeditions way TO do bust
ness is TO do 1T in proper form and order.
am convinced gentlemen from my acquaint
ance and intercourse with you that we are all
united in desire to give this city during the
coming year the best government that 1t Is
within US TO give.
STANLEY E. PARKILL
1t was moved and supported that this council
adopt the rules governing the action of the
council which were used last year, which was
carried, ayes9 nays o.
Mayor appointed as committee on claims and
accounts, Aid. Lamfrom, Sturtevant and
Nichols.
Aid Sturtevant presented following report
which was upon motion adopted, ayes 8, nays o.
Owosso. Mich April /, 1904.
To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council
of the City OF Owosso
Gentemen:-Folow is a complete report
OF the receipts and expenditures OF the city
treasurer for the month of February A. ID. 1904