Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-03-28
Open LETTER
FROM MAYOR
Reviews Administrative Acts
of Past Two Years
SHOWS WHERE ECONOMY
HAS BEEN EXERCISED
Comments on Some of Our Most
Pressing Needs, Which VIII BE
Looked After Shortly

Mr.. Editor:
At the close of the present city ad-
ministrations term of office perhaps
a word from your mayor would not
be out of place.
Two years ago we were all worked
II" over the scarcity of water. A ma
jority of the former administration
and l believe a majority of the citi-
zens of the town thought that the
supply of artesian water was failing
and that even were it not failing the
cost of pumping and furnishing to
the people was almost prohibitive and
this seemed to have ben proven by
the results of several previous admin
istrations, as the city had been for
several years. getting deeper in debt
and the city getting shorter of water.
at times almost water famine star
ing us in the face. Some of us be-
lieved that there was an abundance
of artesian water and that the scare
ity and cost of the water could be
remedied by change in the manner
of pumping, and as soon as possible
we made the change and for the last
twenty months we have had at all
times more water than we could sell,
and while we increased the price
slightly the people of Rocky. Ford are
getting better water, at less price
than most any town in the valley, and
instead of our water plant being a
burden it is now on self-sustaining
basis. In the last two years. notwith-
standing the fact that we drilled and
equipped one new well at cost OF
$424o, the water plant has paid its
way and we have about 10000 to ap-
ply on the interest on bonds.
W. fo,pI fhat &ha r;ty had heen
running behind about $1,000 or SIo,-
900 each year; we have stopped that
leak; we have not only paid all the
expenses of the citv made during Our
administration, including. over $1,000
expense incurred by the tragedy of
the killing of our two marshals, but
we have paid off about $4,000 OF the
old debt.
Some people say we have made no
public improvements, and consequent
iy have done nothing. We have felt
that it was our duty to be economical
and see if it we're possible to live
within our means and if possible
commence paying off little of our
Indebtedness. We were elected as
business men and have tried to get
the city on a business basis.
The city needs some public inn
provements, and needs them badly.
We need a city hall. We need more
ground for our cemetery. We need
! cement bridges across the Rocky
Ford ditch on all the main streets.
We need a system of drainage for our
streets. We ought to have Main
street paved or macadamized. Oh!
we need many things that we did not
think the city could afford, so we cut
down the expenses all we possibly
could and saved every penny to ap-
ply on what we owe. Did We do
right?
I feel that we have made mistakes.
but the business of each department
of the city has been conducted on an
honest and economical plan. And
want to thank each one of the alder
men for his hearty cooperation. We
ere sorry to lose II. !. Maxwell. we
will miss him, not only as an alder
man. but as a citizen. He was one of
the big men of the town.
And now. in conclusion. l want to
Lrge on every citizen of the town 20
turn out to the city elctior. OF
course there is only one ticket and
that is a ticket composed of the same
men now serving, except Mr. STRAIT
ton. who is nominated to take the
place of H. l. Maxwell, in the second
ward. Turn out and give them all Z
good vcte. If you do they viii feel
under more obligations to serve you
with their time and ability. You owe
it, to them.
On that same day the citizens OF
this School District OF which Rocky
Ford is large part, are called on to
vote on a bond issue of 100000 to
build more school room. Every tax
payer in this district should be vital
iy interested in this question; lurn
out everybody. and vote at the Sity
election and then go to the High
School and vote on the bond issue.
G. NJ. COFFMAN, Mayor.