Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1904-01-07
MAYOR WILSON'S
ANNUAL MESSAGE.

TO THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF FITZGERALD, GA.
GENTLEMEN:
1t is customary in nearly all cities
of Importance. for the Mayor, at the
first regular meeting of the city coun-
Gil each year, to deliver an address or
message, in which it is his duty to
call to the attention of the council any
needed legislation which would be
beneficial to and for the best interests
Of the city. shall, therefore, call the
attention of your honorable body to a
number Of things which should re-
celve your careful consideration, not
that l consider my Judgment superior
to yours, but having been longer a
member of your body, have a better
idea as to some of the needs of the
city than members of your body just
taking their seats.
L would, therefore, recommend that
your honorable body do, by ordinance
or resolution, define the duties of all
city officers. and the number of hours
that should constitute day for said
officers, stating hour to commence in
morning and close in evening, and
fixing the penalty for any violation of
said rules.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
l would recommend that the present
policemen, Brubaker and Wilson, be
retained on force for another year,
with one additional member as night
police, as the city is too large for one
policeman to patrol efficiently. Our
policemen gave excellent service dur
ing the year 1903, considering their
number and the territory they had to
patrol, They are entitled to mnch
credit.
OUR STREETS.
There was a liberal appropriation
made for the year 1908, for the inn
provement Of our streets, which, un-
der the able supervision of our street
commissioner, Herman Smith, has
been most judicously expended, and
we now have many miles of finely
graded streets, for all Of which he is
entitled to great credit. l recommend
that the present council pursue the
same liberal policy in regard to our
streets and public grounds for the
year 1904.
WATER AND LIGHT PLANT.
There have been many substantial
improvements made at the water and
light plant during the year 1903, which
neceSsitated the expenditure of a large
amount of money, but, in the judge
ment Of the city council, this could
not posi- bly, have been avoided unless
they should discontinue the running
of the plant. For this work council
has received much unmerited criti-
cism, but as rule from people whose
opinion has but very little weight in
the city with the taxpayers and the
better class of people.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Our fire department needs your inn
mediate attention, as the hose is more
than BALI worthless until needed re-
pairs are made. Material for making
said repairs should be ordered at once.
There should also be ordered about
1900 feet of new hose, also chemicals
for our engines.
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
Our sanitary department has been
greatly sisted by August Diemel,
our present scavenger, and l would
recommend his retention for another
year,
IN CONCLUSION
would say to your honorable body,
this being the beginning OF the sixth
year Of my administration, that l
shall this year, as in the preceding
five years, ask your cooperation and
good council in all the affairs of the
city. You will find me ever ready to
assist you in any work that is for the
best interest Of the city, and ] trust
the year will be a pleasant and pros
porous one for US all, as well as for
the city.
To the retiring members l wish to
extend thanks for the many courte-
sizes extended me during their term Of