Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1910-04-09
25-YEAR FRANCHISE
Somers Point Councilmen at Last Pass Light
ing Ordinance on First Reading

April 4, 1910 will stand as a red
letter day in the annals of the city ci
Somcrs Point 1t has been stated by
those Of lons experience i'll public af
most of the great events in governmental
history occurred in the month of April
This is not without good foundation in
reason After the several dreary winter
lLorths, when the brains of active men
do not lay dormant, but lay plans for
the coming of spring, it is about this
time of the year that they begin to put
into life the thoughts and plans prepar-
ed Just so in Somers Point, today
Several years ago the writer supplied
The Press with a series of articles on
1.-The Future of Somers Point" in which
several important undertakings in the
line of progress were forcefully wagcd
1t is with pleasure that now we are en-
ioying some of these and that we shall
have more i'll the near future.
Expansion and illumination were the
subjects acted upon by the representa-
tives of the people in Council on Mon
several who have planned and prayed
for new streets and highways i'll the city
Mayor Campbell presented a resolution
which he begged to read himself, by
virtue of which Bay avenue will be open
ed by the city from New Jersey avenue
to Cedar avenue. the uppermost bound
ary of Launch Haven. Also Broadway.
from Shore Road across the fields to
Hickory Point where of late years quite
a settlement has grown up and the in
habitants of which have right to de
mand nearer avenue of travel to the
center of the city, than the circutous
route they are compelled to use at pres
ent.
It is impossible to estiamtc the i'm
portance and value of these two new
highways at this time, but it cannot
be denied that hundreds of building
lots. some of the most desirable i'll the
city, will be opened up for Improvement.
thus bringing back to the city treasury
in taxes Il vast sum of money
1t has been stated that some of the
most extensive property owners are
willing to donate the right of way to
the citv. This must be true, for surely
IL WOuIu ne II snort sighted realty OWL
er who would not give ten dollars when
he will receive thousand i'll return for
his investment.
This resolution was passed unan-
mously by the councilmen, who were
all present except Rich. Anderson Quite
a gathering of thecitizens were present
to witness this great event i'll the pro
eleos oi Somers Point.
The illumination question had to do
with the recently introduced electric
light ordinance of the Plcasantville Flee
tric Co. City Solicitor Judge IIigbee
was present and submitted copy of
the ordinance as redrawn in accordance
with the views of the people and couli-
cilmea. expressed at the public hearing
in February. President Tompkins, of
the electric company, explained very
clearly the aims and purposes of his
people and showed just what in reason
they could grant Somers Point in re
turn for the franchise. There was no.
thing but harmony i'll the camp, al
though several citizens were permitted
to speak and displayed a desire to Sc
cure more benefits than the ordinance
called for As citizen and tax payer
perhaps one of the largest. Judge IIiybce
explained what he thought was a rea-
sonablc amount to expect from the elee
tric company.
After pointed question by Capt. W.
c. Sooy put to Mr., Tompkius, as to the
likelihood of any other municipality get