The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-07-18
Ar tbe meeting of the commission


AT the meeting Of the commission
council on July Z, Mayor Walter Le-
mann presented the following res
une of the results accomplished by
bis administration during the first
year of it's incumbency, and out
lining some OF the plans for future
achievement:
To the Commission Council, City OF
DonaldsonVille.
Gentlemen:-June IL last marked
the first anniversary Of commission
government for the city. During TINS
neriod of time the several recommend
ations made in my inaugural address
have all been adopted and put lnto
operation.
The council has met regularly
every month, besides holding ten spe-
eial sessions and a number OF con-
ferences. For the benefit Of the pup
lie we desire to call their attention TO
the 2act that regular meetings are
held on the first Monday OF each
month at 1880 O'Clock, and if for any
reason it cannot be held that night,
it is held the night following. The
citizens are always welcome at these
meetings, and during the past year
many valuable suggestions have been
given US by those attending the seS-
sions. The body being small routine
business is quickly dispatched, ana
the greater portion of the time is
taken up with consideration OF
the various municipal problems which
we have constantly before US.
| propose to review briefly the
several departments of the city's gov
ernment, outlining what has been
accomplished during the year and
what we hope to do In the coming
year.
New Legislation.
Eleven new ordinances have been
enacted, principal among which are
tfIa
streets and sidewalks, straying at
large Of animals, requiring permits
from the city engineer for eonstruc-
ton OF new buildings, prohibition Of
shingle roofs on any building in the
corporate limits, repeating law requir-
ing lots to be fenced and substituting
therefor more stringent and effect
i've ordinance as to weeds and high
grass on sidewalks and premises, and
prohibiting the posting of any signs
on any building or fence except on
regular bill boards and then only by
licensed bill boarder.
Finances.
AS recommended, an accounting
system has been installed by Ac-
countant Wermuth, and a system of
classlflcat1ons adopted. Every item
OF the clty's expense Is now carried
under its proper department, so that
each department will show exactly
What has been expended and the pur-
pose for which the expense has been
incurred. From time to time during
the year statements have been pub.
hsned, and on October last the
CITY finances were all reviewed in
comprehensive statement showing
the entire Indebtedness of the city.
bonded and otherwise. A new fiscal
year has been adopted to correspond
with the calendar year, and at the
enc OF this Year the accounts of the
city will be examined by an account
ant and his report published. Fhe
budget for the year 1914 shows esti-
mated revenues of $19,525.
VI the floating Indebtedness, s2500
mas been retired. A plan has been
prepared looking to the LIQUIDATION of
Tue entire floating indebtedness by
the issuance of certificates payable
curing a period Of fifteen years, it
4 ueilg proposed to appropriate $4,000
eaen year for this purpose. A num-
per OF the creditors have signified
snelf intention of accepting the prop
osltaon made them.
Ihe assessment for 1918 was $780,
1so. Through the activity of the
ta1 collector more licenses have been
eo1seeted than before, and the reve-
naes OF the city have thereby been
eteaseo. ~ 1t is proposed to equalize
.he assessment of the property In
sue city, and already much progress
mas been made by this department in
that direction.
Light and Water.
ms portion of the city's business
=. = administered by a commission of
I've citizens who are serving without
sonpehsation. Better service is Civ
IN tne city, and it is hoped it will
aoe ne long before cheaper service
sa an pc supplied. Two statements
ass se peen published showing the fl
aa i,eial condition of this department,
aea another one is now in process
nab1I bg1teparatlon and will shortly be
Funlie Buildings and Streets.
ooa. : new wharf has been erected at a
sgse ~, OF Sl741.S9. The streets have
-. ~ eeen well graded. An engineer
- s peen employed to take the levels
W;u 'ae city, and recommendations
arai,oe i pe made by him to improve the
baa, More street lights have
se,,l. sesa added, and additional water
benefit of stock No lof 'ne
al = = problem of the market has CIV
out ne Is council much concern through |
chiteae eae year E. A. Christy CITY ar
b. ~ OF New Orleans, as well as
ons,IItoMnng have been called into
NJ th.sallon, ha but the problem has not
msssssn markss finally solved. The present
eeroSs s1 IS both unsanitary and dan
s1ytuSS. and ~ AAe1 49,