The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-10
JOHN LEW IS
ROSE N I s
ACTION
RESIGNS FROM THE BOARD OF
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
Claims He Was Treated Discourteous.
Iy BY Membero of City Council
at a Meeting on Feb. /.

John S. Lewis. In resigning from
the presidency OF the Board of Park
Commissioners of Ogden, has sent the
following letter OF resentment over
the action OF the city council in Its
treatment of the park commissioners
to Mayor Brewer:
Hon. A l.. Brewer. Mavor Ogden
City. Utah; Dear Sir: AT a meeting
OF the board OF directors of the Park
Commission held January l3, reports
and recommendations were made
showing the work that had been ac.
complished. the improvements neces-
sary to be carried out 10 comnlete
the work that has been planned. the
improvements upon street barking
and trees, financial report. together
/ with an itemized statement showing
the number of trees and shrubs on
hand. where located, etc. belonging to
each OF tho parks. and a statement
Of the cost Of maintenance for the
ensuing year.
| These reports and recommendations
were presented to the city council,
January 18th, by the clerk of the
board and ordered fled. without oven
having been read. A motion was then
| introduced and carried to tho effect
That the Board Of Park Commission
ers knew the meeting nights OF the
city council and II they desired to
meet with them they could do 80 on
any regular meeting night OF the
council"
Such an invitation extended through
the council did not show the board
the courtesy due them and they did
not accept of such Invitation. Through
the efforts of the president OF the
council. Mr.. Browning, we succeeded
In having committee of the whole
called to meet February lst, who're
thorough discussion OF the park needs
could be explained and a better un-
derstanding had for a financial ap-
preparation for the ensuing year. Not
Ice of such meeting was given to each
member of the council and there
were present the mayor President
Browning, Councilmen Peery and Aus
tin-three out of the ten councilmen
together with Superintendent or
Parks w. T. Stillwell, and myself. No
excuses were received from the other
seven councilmen.
February 9th, the city council met
In regular session and our recommen~
dations were again not read, some OF
the councilmen not knowing what rec
concentrations had been made, voted TO
appropriate $4,000. which after much
discussion. finally passed
The action taken by the city coun-
ell towards the Board of Park Com
missioners has been entirely discour-
teous and is a reflection upon the
board for It's efforts to better the con-
dition Of our city for the past twenty
months, whose services have been
rendered without pay.
The sums appropriated, namely S5.-
600. is entirely inadequate to do any
improving whatever. as S4,S75.00 is re-
Quired for the proper maintenance OF
the parks as at present regulated, and
this deficient appropriation VIII de-
ter the advancement and improve
ment Of the parks, public parking and
trees of our city, and means for this
locality another step backward In
etead of forward.
Ogden is considerably behind all
progressive cities in similar work and
the action taken by the council is
also q reflection on those active citi-
zens who believe that there has been
for some time a crying need for a
better and modern park system and
better regulation and care for the
public trees upon our streets
In view of the small appropriation
the lack OF advancement aloNg the
lines of beautifyfng our oity-whh no
encouragement whatever from the
city offlcials-the dlscourteous treat
mont of our board and the likely
repetition Of these matters by future
councils. l now respectfully suggest
and recommend that the present state
law creating the Board of Park Com
miesioners be repealed, while the leg
islature is In session, and that such
work revert back to committees OF
the council as formerly.
In conclusion, i desire to say that
a great amount Of time. thought and
study to better the parks and streets
of our city has been given and even
with such study we find the present
laws need strengthening, giving
greater powers to the board, but with
the assistance and support given us
by the council, caused mostly by jeal-
ousies and petty strifes. I con see no
reason why the laws should be so
corrected and amended, but should be
repealed.
The efforts of the board are GER
talnly not appreciated by a majority
of the council and In view OF the facts
above stated I hereby tender to you
my resignation as president and di-
rector OF the Board of Bark Commls
sioners of Ogden.
Respectfully,
(Slgned) JOHN S. LEWIS.