Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-05-07
lights alone. The contract under

ing lights has yet two years to run,
but it is not too early for the city to
begin preparations to install its own
lighting plant at the expiration Of the
contract. I would strongly urge that
you give this subject your most ear
nest consideration, looking to the
better service and the reduced expense
that would be assured by the city own
ing and operating its own plant The
work of locating a suitable site for
the plant and other necessary prelim-
inaries could be profitably taken up
and considered by this Council dur
ing the coming year. Then, at the
expiration OF the present contract, il
contract for better lights at a lower
rate cannot be secured from the light
company, the city will be ready to
take up the work Of installing plant
Of its own.
FINANCES.
Three years ago, the first step was
taken by the City Council to reduce
the City Hall debt OF $25OO One bond
OF $500 was taken up by the Council
at that time. Another $500 bond was
called in by the Council last year. !
am informed that the outgoing board
provided for paying off another $500
when making up the tax levy for the
present year. This has my approval,
and it is possible that, with the large
amount of money that will be at our
command, we may be able to take up
two bonds this year and thus reduce
the debt to $500. If this can be done,
the debt can easily be wiped out of
existence next year.
The careful manner in which the
water bond Indebtedness has been
handled reflects credit upon the
councils that have had it in charge
since its creation. The original debt
of $4,000, although not due until 1923,
has already been reduced to $4,000
two bonds of $1,000 each having been
called in. Sufficient funds are now,
or will soon be, on hand to pay off
another $1,000 Of this debt.
The water bonds could be paid eff
more quickly by the creation Of a
sinking fund, we're it possible to keep
the money loaned at fair rate Of
interest, but there is so little demand
for money at the present time that the
greater part of this fund would lie idle
in the city treasury most Of the time,
while the interest on the outstanding
bonds would keep on growing. I
therefore recommend that the present
method of paying off one Of these
bonds each year be continued as long
as the holder is willing to sell them
to the city.
CITY PARK
I would call your attention to the
Importance Of improving and beauti-
flying the City Park-one Of the finest
natural parks in the state. Many OF
the old trees are dying, and it is
necessary that others be planted II the
beauty of the grounds is to be
preserved. All persons should be pro-
hibited from removing dirt from the
city premises outside the park fence,
as this soil will be needed from time
to time in leveling the surface Of the
ground inside the inclosure.
PUBLIC MORALS.
The city has an excellent code of
ordinances, the provisions Of which
should be respected and enforced, to
the end that the morals and good
name of the city may be carefully
| guarded.
In conclusion, brother officers, let
us work together earnestly and
harmoniously, seeking at all times to
do all in our power to advance the
best interests of the prosperous and
rapidly. growing City Of Dallas and
realizing that it is our duty to take
the lead in the important work OF
improving and beautifying our city.
A. b. MUIR,
Mayor.