Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-05-09

ent streets, and the last two admin.
istrations mark the greatest con-
structive periods in the municipal life
of Aberdeen. So extensive and cost
ly have some of these improvements
been that in some instances the pay
ment of assessments have worked
hardship upon some of the small
property owners, and will continue
to do so for some time to come; yet,
| believe that is most instances these
improvements were desired by ma
jority of the property owners in the
districts where the improvements
were made, and that time, the re-
Queer of all problems, will ultimate
ly bring forth satisfactory solu-
ton to all concerned, and that the
increased property valuations will
more than compensate everyone for
all the hardships they may have en-
dured in bringing Aberdeen out of
the country village stage to an i'm
portant place in the ranks of pro-
gressive Western cities.
The location of a major portion of
our city being on spongy tidelands,
together with other adverse condi-
tons during four or five months in
the year. makes the construction of
permanent streets both difficult and
costly. With this in view, l think
the engineering department should be
instructed that all construction and
contract work should be let and
completed within time limit, ex-
tending from April to November. In
any event, no improvements should
be made until the cost has been care
fully estimated and the taxpayers
concerned have had ample time to
consider whether they could stand
the additional burdens of expense in
the premises We all know that there
are debt limits which an individual
or corporation may not safely pass,
and that which applies to individuals
and corporations is also applicable
to the larger number of persons
which form municipality; so, if
possible, l would minimize the i'm
provements in all directions to those
that are actually desired by the tax
payers themselves in instances where
there is no danger of the property
being confiscated to satisfy the cost
Of improvements.
The greatest problem now con.
fronting this municipality is encom-
passed in securing permanent sup
ply of pure water, sufficient to meet
the increasing demand of the city.
If Aberdeen is to continue to grow
we must make a concentrated effort
to obtain abundant water for it's
needs by at least augmenting our
present supply by going to some point
where the city will be able to meet
the expense of installment and still
retain the absolute ownership of
the water plant or system which we
may seek to acquire.
A Port Dock, while bringing an
additional burden of expense, would
be one of the greatest sources of
expansion the city could possibly
have. 1t would be of utmost i'm
portance in the growth of Aberdeen.
believe that the people of South
Aberdeen should have free communi-
cation and traffic with all parts of
the city, and that this problem should
be solved as soon as possible.
I am in favor OF policy of n
just equalization of assessed valua-
tions, placing all taxpayers on an
equal plane, and l feel confident that
it is the desire of each and every.
one connected with this administra.
ton to relieve the people as much
as possible of the heavy burdens of
taxation by careful and economi-
cal management of the citys affairs.
During my administration l shall
insist on the heads of the several
city departments making estimates
showing the probable expense of
each department for the ensuing
year.. such estimates to be submit
ted to the council at public meet
ing and published in the city Off
cial paper for a period of at least
three weeks. This will enable the
people to make a protest, should the
budget not meet with their approval.
This administration starts auspi-
ciously with the harmonious spirit
with which each and every member
of the present council has met me,
spirit clearly displaying the fact
that the welfare of Aberdeen and
it's citizens is your only desire and
that you are actuated by no personal
motives
We are not here to reward our
friends or punish our enemies at the
expense of the city; but, rather, to
see that the municipal affairs are
SO conducted that economy and JUS
tice will be the paramount elements
in our policy.
The future will bring to us many
problems, the solution of which will
require our earnest and harmonious
cooperation. 1t is in this way only
that we can faithfully represent our
constituencies and fulfill the obliga-
tions which we, as officials, owe the
city. trust that the umost impartial
ity to everyone will mark our every
official act, and that economy in the
administration of public affairs will
be the watchword of us all. It is
in this spirit, and earnestly asking
your sincere goodwill and aid that
I assume the responsibilities attend
ant upon the Office of Mayor of
Aberdeen.
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