The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-01-02
hat becomes of our tax money.

what becomes of our tax money.
Regarding the statement alleging
that there was Misrepresentation in
regards to cost of cement cutters and
gravel roadway, would say that
helped to circulate the petition for
same, and in each case | represented
that we had NEARLY enough funds on
hand and still believe it. The Detroit
Tribune of Dec. 7th, states that neither
cedar blocks nor cement paving is very
satisfactory. Fenton's streets have
undoubtedly been mistreated for years
by the same negligence of their street
committee that has been characteristic
Of our own village.
Now comes the Figures" which APP
parently are conclusive if not 50 illumi-
mating:
The upkeep for cement paving is to
be only $40 per year while for gravel it
is to be S265. Now certainly this is
great, If our lips weren't cracked we
would laugh our heads off. Let US look
into this cost business little. Suppose
we were to bond for SO 900 for term
of eight years, $1,000 and interest at
five per cent to be paid each year. In
terest first year S4OO, second year $3.50,
third year $500. fourth year $3.50, fifth
year 5000, sixth. year $50, aeventh
year SlOO, eighth year $50, total $1,000,
for which we don't get a blooming thing
and which is part of the upkeep. A
concrete pavement without cleaning or
sprinkling would be very much more
dusty and uncleanly than gravel. This
would necessitate man on the JOB at
least nine months of the year at Sl2
per week. or $432 per year; eight years
total, including interest, $5, 156, or an
average of s644.50 per year. BY that
time your pavement would be sadly in
need of repair and we would be about
where we started.
Let us have our streets fixed and
nave IL Ddlu lOI WICh AOAAS'
The village treasurer has kindly in
formed me that we will have at least
So, 400 on hand this spring which, with
reasonable assessment this year,
ought to fix the street.
Here's proposition: Let the coun'
Gil assess the abutting property for the
curbing and seven or eight feet of ce
ment gutter, and with the funds or
hand and another small general assess
ment go ahead and do business. | owr
60, feet of frontage which, according tt
Mr.. Doyle's figures, can be put in fol
about $63. As far as / am concerned
go ahead.
But let us not get muddled about in
creases in real estate values arising
from the fact that we have a pave
ment. increased land values are al
sight for real estate SPECTATORS; bu
for the man who owns little home o
yer on the hill, increases in value mean
onIv increases in taxes-state and coun
ty. His little home will afford equal.
as good shelter whether it is valued
4 81, 900 or $4,000.
And we are very glad to have ou
property valued cheaply when the as
SCISSOR comes around.
Nor is there anything to the argu
ment that it is a good thing to be i
debt. The fellow who tells you tha
is either muddled or has money to leno
Just one word and my talks throug
the paper are ended. am of the opir
ion that little more publicity in tn
affairs of the village council woul
clear the atmosphere of all doubts r.
garding public matters. Let us spen
trifle in having the proceedings
the council published in the Messenge
No public servant should be ashamed
his vote on public affairs. Aaron Bul
knocked executive sessions in publ
affairs down and out long ago.
What / have written has been in II
spirit of friendliness, not only to M
DOYLE, but to all concerned.
| thank the Messenger for its indu
2 gence. Very truly,
2 H. F. BODINE.