The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-06-07
FAvoRs BOND ISSUE FOR couN-
TY IMPROVEMENTS
To the Editor ocala Banner:


Gle by Dr..Blitch was good one. Tne
article by Col Rogers was still bet
ter one. Both of these articles go
to show that the citizens of Marion
county are beginning to wake up to
the fact that while We have some
good roads, we need more good roads,
and need them badly. They also call
attention to the fact that some of our
roads are sadly in need of repair.
1t has always struck the writer that
the people of Marion county, and
more especially those who live in and
around Ocala, while they boosted OF
having more good roads and more
mileage of good roads than any other
county in the state, were content to
let the matter go at that, while they
should be making an effort to get
more good road mileage and more
good roads. If you will talk to the
people out Dunnellon way and Fort
Mccoy way, you will hear different
story from that which will be told
around Ocala.
Good roads are the cornerstone OF
agricultural prosperity; agricultural
prosperity means prosperous times
for all; and before our farmers can
come into their own they must have
good roads. The only way to go
about securing good roads is to pro-
vide the necessary money by bond
issue. Then employ a high grade
reputable engineer to see that the
money derived from this bond issue
is spent right and without favor to
any individual or interest.
Farmers have natural antipathy
against bond issues and mortgages
to pay for good roads. Many of them
have experienced hard times which q
mortgage has made for them as indi-
lviduals, but have talked with many
Marion county farmers of late, and
believe that l am right when l state
| that the Marion county farmer is not
an opponent of good roads, and that
he will favor a long-term bond issue
bearing a low rate of interest, that
permanent and good roads may be
constructed which will benefit the
present generation as we'll as the
succeeding generations.
The cost of building roads is SO
great that only a small mileage can
be built each year in any one COM
munity in Marion county under our
present system of pay as you go. A
long-term bond issue at a low rate
of interest is the only solution for
Marion county. 1t will give us folks
who are here now the full use OF
these improvements; it will give
great benefits to the succeeding gen
erations and the cost will be so even
ly divided and wisely distributed as
not to work hardship or place q
burden on anyone.
|. The development of Marion county
is going forward in giant strides; few
of our citizens realize or know 10
what extent. While the progress has
been great in the past few years, ii
will be still greater during the next
five years. Large projects are now
being started which will materially
help this county. 5lore will come
along, for we truly have the banner
county of the state, but if Marion
county expects individuals and CAPT
tai to come here, she must do her
part; she must do all that is possible
to furnish good roads, for they are
the cornerstones of success.
| suggest that a movement be starr
ed to bond Marion county for the
sum of one million dollars. This sum
is not much for county as rich and
as large as Marion county to owe or
to borrow
| That S150,000 of this amount be
turned over to the board of public in
struction to be used in erecting suit
able school buildings throughout the
county, and improving the efficiency
of the instructors.
That certain part be used in TAX
ing up the present Indebtedness (up-
on which am informed we pay I per
cent. INTEREST," of about S150,000.
That the balance, or sum esti-
mated at about 100000 be used for
building good roads, and repairing
some which we have at present. l be-
lieye that If this sum be spent wisely
every portion of the county can be
given its equal share of good roads
Ocala in particular should mage a
great effort to secure good hard
road to the Atlantic ocean and one
to the gulf.
| | believe our county commissioners
should be credited with doing the