The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-05-16

the owner of that strip of land
would be of considerable value to us.
Complaint has been made of the
switching on Main street by this
same company, and the matter has
been taken up with the company,
and they were given until May Is
to make some other arrangements.
This matter presents many Difficult
ties; but it is of great Importance
that we should do everything in our
power to try to get the company to
stop switching at that place, as it
is place much frequented by peo-
pie crossing the bridge to or from
North Mankato, and it is in the
heart of the city.
Twelve. Parks.-It will be no.
ticed that there is only $2,95017
available for the work and improve
ment of the parks of our city in the
regular park fund. This will hardly
be sufficient to pay for the ordinary
work of caring for and maintaining
the parks. 1t will not enable us to
improve Sibley park as has been
desired and completing it in the
manner it should be. 1t would be
well for us to decide as to whether
the matter of the completion of Sib-
ley park should be deferred to next
year; and if it is, provision should
be made for it at the time of max
ing the tax levy this fall. 1t is GER
tainly a matter that must be brought
to q close during our term. When
completed the park will be a thing
of which we can with justice be
proud, in fact it will be one of the
most beautiful spots to be found
anywhere in this state.
Thirteen. Fire Department.-Mak
ing a fire department efficient is
spending money to good purpose
The better ordinances that we have
and the better they are enforced the
better will be our protection against
fire, and the cheaper our rates OF
insurance. The question of suffi
cient ordinances has been taken up
with the city attorney, and they
will be drawn and submitted in the
near future. There still remains the
great question of providing more and
better fire apparatus for our firemer
to work with. This matter has been
before the council for considerable
time and has received a great deal Of
attention. AS soon as the council
has funds that are available this
ing our fire department with the fire
apparatus of which they are in sucf
great need. Too much consideration
can never be given to the question
of fire protection in city.
t 81 hope we will be favored in the
near future with a report from the
superintendent of parks and fire de
partment relating to these matters
which | have but cursively touched
upon.
evident that the waterworks funt
can not only take care of its owl
expenses, but will be able to show
a surplus each year of six or sever
-. thousand dollars: this will easily
take care of the water extensions
proposed in East Mankato and nea1
Van Brunt street and the fund viii
probably be able to pay off some o
its Indebtedness to the general fund
which repayment will be welcome.
1 n,t
Gil was confronted with the question
of constructing a storm sewer alOns
Sixth street from the MacMahal
hill to Vine street. There is M
question but what this improvement
is necessary. We are informed
however, by our engineer that thi
sewer would cost us in the neighbOr
hood of $S,000.00, and it now be
comes necessary for us to conside
the question as to whether We will
be financially able to make this i'm
provement or not. If We do not
provision should be made for layin.
it next year without fail We mus
also remember that it will be neces
airy to lay some storm sewers alon:
Fourth street, where it is intended
to grade and improve the street
Under our charter these storm sew
ers must be paid for by the city a
large.
Sixteen. Streets.-lt has beer
urged upon US by a committee o
the Commercial club to make ar
engagements to complete the roa,
building from our city to Good Thun
der, from West Front street to tn,
city limits. Part of this improve
ment can be paid for by local as
sessment, but part of it will have t
be paid for by the city as whole
This is very important matter an,
should receive your prompt atten
ton.
/ II again refer with pleasure to
law passed by our last Legislature
! Chapter $500, which gives the coun
ty commissioners authority to spen,
not to exceed one-half of the take
raised on city property for the pun
pose of improving roads leading on
of the city and for two miles be
You'd the limits. We cannot expec
this help in the case of the Goo,
Thunder road as the county has al
ready made liberal provision for thi
| road but it will be well to remem
, Der this law when future occasions