The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-03
IT IS UP TO PROPERTY OWNERS.

Il DOES CHIcKAsHA really want sidewalks anC
paved streets? Are the people who talk SO mucl
about the condition of streets and the necessity fol
improvements and who always wanting the city
themselves willing do the things which they urge
the council to dor
Now the fact is, this question is up to the
property There is way open to secure these
improvements and it rests with the property owners
to take the initiative
Are there ten of real property who are
willing to take the lead If there are ten such people
the movement can be started. This is solemn truth,
brother. Will you be one of the ten?
The Arkansas Statutes governing cities of the
frst-cass provides the way. 1t is plain and simple
Section sos and following provides method by
which improvement districts can be created This
method in substance is as follows
Whenever ten or more owners Of real property
in city of the first class or any portion
thereof petition the city council to take steps toward
grading streets and alleys or making any improve
ments of public nature, it shall become the duty of
the council to lay off the city into improvement
districts If within three months after the districts
created majority in value of the owners of real
property in district present petition praying that
Improvements be made, the council shall appoint
Board of Improvement consisting of three persons.
This board shall make plans, secure estimates
and carry out the desired improvements They shall
report to the council and that body shall assess the
cost of the same the real property in the drtrct
If the cost exceeds one per cent of the value of the
real property in the district it shall be paid in sue
cessve annual installments. no assessment iii any
one year to exceed one percent Of the value Of the
realty provided single improvement is to be
undertaken the cost Of which exceeds twenty per
cent of the value of the real property.
An important provision is the following: IN
order to hasten the work the board may borrow money
not exceeding 90 per cent of the estimated cost of the
work < and may pledge all uncollected assesse-
ments for repayment thereof
Note another feature 1t is not alone the male
property owners who may petition the council, but
the law provides that women married and single may
sign the petition.
Now gentlemen,-and ladies, if you please
here is the proposition before you. You want the
council to do something -you can compel action if
you are in earnest. DO you want sidewalks, do you
want the streets graded and drained, do you want
them paved' You can have anything you want. All
you have to do is to ask for it and assume the
obligations which the law requires. Will you ask?
Chckasha is as able to begin these improvements
she will ever be and certainly the need is urgent
1t will be an investment too, that will bring sub
stantia returns With graded streets all over towu
paved streets in the business section and sidewalks
there will be an added value to our property which
will far exceed the Of the contemplated improve
ments.
This movement can be under headway within
three months if the citizens take up at once Now
interested property owner, Of public pride, get
out you petition and have it ready to present at the
next meeting of the council