La Junta tribune., 1905-04-01
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EDrrOR TRiBUNE:

EDFrOR tribune:
At the earnest solicitation Of many
friends and citizens Of La Junta l
have again consented to accept the
nomination for mayor Of this city.
and. if elected. l shall serve the city
in that capacity to the very best of
my skill and ability for the full term
for which shall be elected
believe in the conservative man
agement Of city affairs. and that the
books and accounts Of the city should
be kept with IS much care - any
private person or corporation keeps
his or its books. to the end that the
taxpayers may be able to know at
any time by a personal inspection of
the books the exact financial condi-
ton Of each and every branch Of the
city's business.
During all my eighteen years res
idence in this city. have favored
municipal ownership Of public utili-
ties. and, to that end. fifteen years
ago when the town purchased the
present water plant l supported that
measure. | believe that had the
plant been properly managed through
the whole period Of its ownership by
the city it would at least have been
self-sustaining. and ! believe that
the plant can still be put in such con
dition as to make it show q profit in
stead Of loss to the Taxpayers. /
believe that the first thing to do is to
develop the water supply ut the riv-
er, because without the water the
best and most expensive plant would
be useless. would then put the
plant itself in first class physical con-
dition. installing new pumps II nee
essary and extending the mains so
that every taxpayer in La Junta can
have easy access to the system. do
not believe that it is necessary for
the city to go into debt $50. 900 at
this time to accomplish this end.
There is at present bonded indebt-
edness Of $5l 900. and further in
debtedneA. evidenced by Outstand-
ing warrants, Of something over
so. 600. making a total Of over $7l,-
600 upon which we are now paying
interest. With further bond issue
Of $50, 600 for water and $2O. 600 for
an electric plant. our indebtedness
would be raised to over $l21 900,
with an assessed valuation Il only
$674, 600. For the reason that bon
issue Of SO. 900 for an electric plant
will not build q light plant adequate
for the growing needs Of the city.
and for the reason that the city sl-
ready has . contract for street light
ing with the present electric COM
pany which runs for two and one
half years yet. am opposed to an
issue Of bonds for that purpose. l
believe that q contract made by the
city should be ~ sacred as one be-
tween man and man.
II will be my aim to see that the
laws and ordinances are enforced.
and that every man and oil classes Of
business and property are equally
protected. - our laws guarantee.
The first business Of the mayor
and city council Of La Junta ought
TO be to relieve instead Of TO enlarge
the already oppressive burden of the
city taxation under which the tax
payers are laboring.
have already served the town Of
La Junta three times in the capacity
Of mayor. know something of the
duties and something Of the labor
which conscientious administration
Of the duties Of the Office will im-
pose. II elected ] promise that ]
will do everything possible for the
city's best interests. cOurting the
counsel and advice Of al those who
have the city's best interests at
heart.
Respectfully.
c. w. BOMGARDNER.
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