Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-04-11

ent members of the Council and all
of the city officers for the hearty Co
operation which they have given me
in this and other matters which have
come up before u.s. | hope the busi-
ness OF the coming year can be con
Quoted with as little difficulty as it
has been in the past. | am sure that
have tried to do my duty and will
continue TO do so in every respect
believe that ! am as much at fault
as any one that our resolution was
worded as it was. | wanted our peo-
pie to know just what we intended to
do with the money. ! was not ad-
vised that it required two separate
issues of bonds. Now that the error
has been made II do not think it good
policy to turn down the proposition
for we really need the streets paved
We are going along with the plans
and specifications so we will not loose
much time, by the time they are ready
and the streets cleared of poles and
the connections made TO each lot with
the sewer and water mains, we will
have the money. BY making our new
bonds per cent payable semi-annual
y they will bring enough more pre-
ond election, for ! believe our people
want the improvements. | noticed
some time ago an article in the
papers relative to the use OF the city
park to any vehicles. This ] think
would not meet with the approval of
a majority OF the taxpayers. am of
the opinion that an ordinance should
be passed to prohibit all work teams,
doll nfn hHtt
clude pleasure vehicles. believe
that any one should have the right to
drive into the park with an auto or
any pleasure vehicle with his friends
hope that the council will see that
all roads leading into the park are
graded and suitable sidewalks built
this season. ! appointed last summer
a committee TO look up the advisa bill
ity of securing an opening on the
west That committee having at this
date not reported ! am unable to say
what the outcome will be- more
suitable place should be provided for
the dumping OF garbage. The place
we now use is too close, and in my
Judgment dangerous to public health
and especially SO to those living in
that vicinity. ! am in hopes that in
the near future our people will see
their way clear to build a walk to the
cemetery. | would recommend that
as stated before that it be built on
the west side of the highway for the
reasons:
First-The roadway should be pro-
tected by a retaining wall running
along the banks of the pond which we
will be compelled to do some time
Second-That people going to and
from the cemetery would not at any
time be compelled to cross the road,
being in danger of being run over by
autos or vehicles. and being out of
the way of the dust that in summer
time would arise from the street.
Third-It would save the expense
of two or three crosswalks. | would
suggest to the ladies of the Civic
league that whatever money they
may have to spare be donated by them
for that purpose. l also would rec
ommend that any surplus dirt we
may have while grading streets
for paving, be placed where neces-
sary along the line of said walk to
make the proper grades. | hope to
see the time when this walk will be
built. The city should also own a
vault at the cemetery for public use,
especially in the winter time. wish
again to call your attention to the col
lection of water taxes. An ordinance
should be passed, if necessary, max
ing all water taxes payable at the
City Clerks Office as stated in my last
message. Giving the people
reasonable time to call and pay them
or send in their remittance, and if
not paid the water should be shut off,
as have stated before. The com
missioner should read the meters and
report to the clerk. 1t should not be
necessary for him to see each indi-
vidual to make the collections. His
time being too valuable to the city at
other work which would remain idle