Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-27
SHALL CITY ISSUE BONDS?
Communication From Council Lays
Plans Before Voters

10 the Citizens and Tax Payers of
Alma:-
Your city at the present time is in
the midst of growth land the future
prospects of the city have an out look
for a greater growth) so great that
the limited means raised for public
improvements by the tax roll from
year to year are entirely inadequate
10 enable the city to keep pace with
this growth in the most essential mat
ters of sewer and water privileges.
AS the matter presents itself to your
city council there must be fioated "a
bond issue TO enable us to make
the improvements which the property
owners are demanding and which de-
mands are just.
The council feels that all requests
of this nature ought to be granted,
and are going to cali upon you to ex-
press your opinion by the ballot as to
whether you want US to go ahead Of,
or at least keep pace with the city's
growth, or allow our city to stand still
which is the only course open If we
are unable to continue with public
| improvements.
We are calling upon you TO decide
this question but trust that in forming
your judgment you will take broad
and patriotic view of the matter and
that your pride in your city will help
US carry a bond issue to make neces-
sary improvements.
We are asking for what will no
doubt be considered large sum, but
these bonds will be sold only as needed
and we thus get away from the neces-
sity of calling other special elections
(which are costly in order to get
your permission for issuing bonds in
smaller amounts.
The question of sewers is the mair
or build new sewers so that all may
enjoy the privilege which is their
right
The new additions which are de
manding entrance to the city will alsC
demand sewers and water which can
not be granted under the present law
method of building up the city i'm
provements.
Our present contract for city water
supply expires i'm October 1917, anC
it is our purpose to have installed be
fore that time an up-to-date plant
pumping drinking water through the
mains in place of river water as a
present.
We intend to locate this plant OF
property owned by the city and pump
the water by electrically driver
pumps, buying the current for driving
the same in the open market. We al
ready have plans for this pumping sta
ton prepared by competent firm o
engineers.
Our water mains require many ad
ditions TO take care of requests for eX
tension and for fire purposes, and i
is obvious to all that as soon as w
are able to extend the mains and ge
more people to using water, the soon
er we can be getting returns on tn
money invested.
Under the item of public parks, w
intend to change the present par
known as Wright park into place o
beauty by removing a large number o
the trees, planting shrubbery an
flowers and grading, so that the citi
zens can enjoy the benefits, whic
they are unable 20 do at present o.
b account of the dense shade keepin
. the grounds always damp This wor
we intend doing by the assistance o
e the ladies of your Civic League.
5 The public library site should b
. considered a necessity and it is on
/ purpose to assist the ladies of tn
2 Civic League in securing a gift of
2 Carnegie library provided you allo'
4 us to purchase a site which is tn
D main requirement to secure such
g gift
+ The total amount of bonds TO be ash
F. ed for total 100000 divided as 70
e lows:
sewers ........'...... ..'s... .Sff,VVV.O
P Water Works ............. 100000
y Water Mains .......... 100000
Q Public Library Site .... 10000