Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-04-12
OLD COUNCIL OUT
CLOSED BUSINESS AND AD-
JOURNED SINE DIE.
EX-MAYOR'S ADVICE
Mayor spicer ana New Council TOOK
Municipal Reins-Iiis Fine innu-
guraI-Makes Retrenchment
and Reform the slogan.

The new city council, in whose hands
the destiny and welfare of our city will
rest for the next twelve months, came IN
to being last Monday evening, after the
old council had met for the purpose OF
closing up what little business of the past
year remained to be done and to listen to
the parting words of Mayor Willis r.
~-Brcker, who was there TO surrender the
reins of government into the hands OF hlm
who but few days previous had wrested
from him in the battle Of the ballots, the
honorable title of Mayor Of Beldlng
Quite a number Of our citizens were pre-
sent to witness the transfer and listen TO
the words of wisdom from both the re-
tiring and incoming Mayor.
After the transaction Of wha' little bu-
siness remained to be done, such as au-
diting a few bills. listening to few COM
munc tions. and paying the salaries OF
the aldermen for their year Of service,
Mayor Brcker arose and said in part
Gentlemen Of the council: Before lay
ing down the title of mayor, desire to
thank each member Of the council for the
kindly spirit shown me in all the various
meetings in which we have met together
during the past year. and ! can truly say
that in all of my experience IN city legis-
lation | have never seen a council that
has at all times worked so closely IN har-
mony and can conscientlously say that
each of the alderman have worked for
the best interests of the city. Alderman
Madden, who has not been with US for,the
entire year. has performed his duties IN a
manner that reflects credit alike upon
himself and the city and he can step
aside with the knowledge that his duties
have been well done.
During the year that has passed there
has been much of Importance to the city S
growth and prosperity and the work thus
commenced will fall into the hands OF
the new council for completion. The
water works have been nearly compet-
ed, and with the coming Of the water
sewers and we have thought it wise and
best to begin the construction of sewer
system that must Of necessity follow in
the wake of the water works. There has
been some money borrowed to meet these
demands, but the sewer assessments made
against abutting property will as soon as
paid, furnish a fund for the liquidation
of this Indebtedness. The mayor and al
dermen are not the individuals who made
the floating Indebtedness, but rather the
citizens of Belding whose servants we
have been. | think it advisable to bond
the city for five years for sewers. We
have already invested $500 in sewers
and there is yet considerable to be done.
In regard to the water works, it seems
to me that in short time they can be
made self sustaining Care should be
used in establishing water rates not to get
them too high People have voted fol
them because they wanted them, and they
will patronize them provided the rates are
not placed too high, and while it will be ar
expense at first | believe that only shor
time will elapse before they will becom,
not only self-sustaining but a means to-
wards liqudatng the Indebtedness which
they have brought upon the city. Th'
city is growing rapidly and we must o
course, keep pace with its growth.
People want water works, sewers AM
other modern convenences and are read
to pay for them, and believe it is our du
ty as city officials TO give them what the
ask for. And right here ! want TO say
word about franchises. | don't tn nix it
very good idea to give them away.
certain franchise was granted in this cit
for gas plant and before forming th
company the franchise was turned in as
$4,000 asset to the company which wa
accepted at that price. think everyon
knows by this time that ! am in favor {
municipal ownership Of public utilities.
have no recommendations to make
the incoming council for believe that the.
like the council Of the past have only tn
best interests Of the citv at heart. Don
stop Improvements for they are the STEP
ping stones TO our city's success. Som
one has said we should cut off the rebate
on cement walks. am opposed to tha
because those walks that have alread
been built and had the rebate paid on II
same have been largely in front Of Il
property Of the wealther class of citizen
and the poorer class should have a chanc
at rebate the same as the others.
think that this is about all that care
say st present. but desire to welcome
the chair our new mayor. Mr.. Spicer, ar
to turn over to him the official chair"