The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-07-17
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL

first time in many months saw every
councilman in his place, viz: G.. w.
Hunter, w. A. Knight, ]. n. Tolar, G..
A. Carmichael, j. C. Smith, H. A. Fau-
sett, E. e. Robinson and E. G. Ben
EFT, NJ. ]. Roecs.
1t was stated that the special ses-
sion was called to consider the re-
port of the light and water commit
tee, which report was published in
full in these columns a week ago.
Upon motion the report was re-
read for the information of the mem
bers of the council who were not pres
ent at the last meeting.
Alderman knight moved that the
rules be suspended and the privilege
of the floor be extended to any citi-
zen or to as many citizens as desired
to address the council.
Mt. Meffert said that his views
were we'll known; that he was unal-
terably opposed to the city purchas-
] ing current.
Mr.. w. D. Tompkins said that the
| petition that was presented to the
council spoke the sentiments of those
who signed it, and that he was one of
the signers.
Alderman Roess, after some brief
remarks. said that petitions were
very frequently signed without due
deliberation, and at best only reflect
ed the sentiments of those who sign
ed them, and to ascertain the senti-
ments of the still larger number who
did not sign them, he favored the
calling of an election to ascertain the
will OF the people; that is to say,
whether or not they favor the issue
of bonds for the purchase of a new
plant or favor buying current and
retaining the present plant.
While the resolution was being
prepared Alderman knight moved an
amendment, that the matter be decid-
ed by the council at once, whether or
not it favored purchasing power or
| erecting a new plant.
On a call of the roll the president
| decided that the amendment was lost.
Knight, Tolar, Fausett, Carmichael;
nays, Hunter, Roess, Bennett, Robin
son.
Alderman Smith was absent when
the vote was taken.
Alderman Roess' resolution was
modified after being read, and when
finally adopted read as follows:
Whereas, 1t has become necessary
to either build a new electric plant
or to purchase power from private
parties; and
Whereas, The council feels that it
is proper to submit to the voters
whether the city shall build a new
plant or shall contract for a supply
of power; be it
Resolved, By the city council of the
city of Ocala, that the mayor of the
said city is hereby requested to call
an election of the registered voters
of the city of Ocala, residing in the
said city, who own real estate or per-
sonal property of the value of not
less than two hundred dollars, locat-
ed within the corporate limits of the
said city; said election to be held on
the 14th day of September, A. D.,
1914, to determine whether Or not
the city of Ocala shall issue bonds
for the purpose of erecting and equip
ping a new electric light plant. The
amount of said issue of bonds to be
$4,000, or such an amount thereof as
may be determined to be necessary
by the council. That at the said cleo
ton the said voters shall also deter
mine whether the city of Ocala shall
purchase electric current from pri-
vate parties or not.
Those voting for the resolution
were the following: Messrs. Hunter,
Bennett, Roess, Tolar, Smith, Fau-
sett, Carmichael, Knight. Mr.. Robin
son was passed.
The president of the council then
stated that the special meeting was
also called to consider the water
proposition, and that the mayor had
been invited to participate in the dis
c%ussion, but it was ascertained that
the mayor had left the chamber.
Mr.. Roess stated that the report
of the superintendent of the water
plant shows hat the city is losing
money on every gallon of water that
it sells.
He said that he thought that Mr..
Taylor, the chairman of the water
committee of the old council, would