The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-01-19
NEW CITY ADMINISTRATION.
New Council Holds lis First Meeting
Mayor MeConathy's Message is
Read-Many Applicants for
Tax Rebates.


Carmichael, j. Edward Chase, Chas.
X. Sage, and e. X. Nelson.
A number of other city officials
were also present, to-wit; City Attor-
ney Biggs, Assessor and Collector
Clyatt. Marshal Cleveland, Electric
Light Superintendent Williams, Street
Superintendent and Sanitary Inspec-
tor Moore.
After the minutes were read and
approved Mr.. r. L. Anderson, presi-
dent of the Ocala Water Company, adj
dressed the council protesting against
the high assessment made against the
water company. He said that it was
out OF proportion compared with all
other assessments and he asked that it
be reduced. He said, for instance that
valuable plant and franchise with
mains and pipe ramifying the streets,
was assessed for only $4,000 while the
water company was assessed for $685.
600. He said that the water company
wanted peace and not war, but that
unless the assessment was reduced
that the water company would be COM
PEELED TO charge the city for all water
used and not now charged for. Mr..
Anderson's complaint was referred to
a committee of four, of which the
president OF the council will be chair
man. The other members of the COM
mittee will be named later.
Mr. George MacKay and Mr.. J. L.
Edwards. former members of the
equalization board, presented a COM
munication recommending that the
assessment of the property of f. NJ.
Howard be cut in half. Referred to
the same committee as Mr.. AndersOn's
case.
The Blount Real Estate Agency
complained also of excessive assess
ments. 1t also was referred TO the
same committee.
Mr. Hester asked that the assess
ment upon his property in the Smith
n Daugherty addition be reduced from
$500 to $500. Referred to the same
committee.
A. Forage q Brother asked that
they be granted a permit to sell fresh
meats i'm the block on which is locat-
ed the Baptist church. Their petition
was signed by thirty signatures. Re-
ferred to the market committee.
At this stage of the proceedings the
Clerk read the message OF Ocala's new
Mayor, Hon. Richard McConathy. The
Mayor said:
To the City Council of OcaIa:
Although it is not required by law
that the mayor shall address a mes
sage To your honorable body, setting
forth his views of matters of munich
pal interest, | am quite sure that the
respect you entertain for the Office, as
well as your desire to do everything
in your power to further the welfare
of the city will cause you to give much
consideration to suggestions coming
from any source as they may be wor-
thy Of
think it we'll To say for the infor-
nation of the public, that the may
or of Ocala has very limited powers,
and therefore he can, without the CO.
operation of the council. do but lit
tie.
1t is his duty to see that the laws
are executed. But not having the pow
er To appoint, or remove an inefficient
official. he has to depend on the
selection by the council of officials tina
will do their duty, and call its atten-
ton To any derelection on their part.
He can veto an ordinance if he is
not satisfied with it, but then the
council may pass it over his veto. He
presides over the city court, and is
responsible if offenders against the
city ordinances are not adequately
punished. He can also institute an
investigation if he has reason to be-
Iieve that an ordinance * being Vio-
lated. The above are virtually all the
duties incumbent on this office, So it
will appear to our citizens that they
are not rs extensive as many suppose.
Concerning city matters l beg to
make a few observations.
PaVements.
Many of the sidewalks are in very
bad condition. bricks loose holes that
fiIl with water, and are so slippery
when rained on that they become dan
gerous To walk on. As to other than
the brick walks these conditions arise
from the poor material used, and in
many instances because the edges are
higher than the middle.
l recommend that a systematic in
spection be made at once, and proper
repairs with the proper material be re-
quired TO be made. OF course there
are a number of sidewalks that are