Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-05
MAYOR JACKsoN,y MESSAGE,

MAYOR JACKsON's MESSAGE.
To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen:
submit some suggestions for your con-
sideration. II there Is any merit in them
bespeak your aid.
First. as to procedure. ! would suggest
that executive sessions of the city council
be made the exception rather than the
rule; that the action Of each member Of
the council be based upon the fact that he
represents his city first his ward second
and his party third: and that we treat
all questions with the courtesy that their
citizenship and our obligation to duty re-
quire.
Second, as to finances and betterments
There is a difference between economy
and parsimony. The first means the ex-
penditure OF money only when the city re-
ceives value for every dollar spent: the
second means a pinch-penny policy which
allows the present penny to blind our Wis
ion Of the future dollar. For example; 1t
has been the practice in our Vermont
municipalities to allow private enterprise
first to build new houses in new localities,
and the city. then. grudgingly. and after
much beseeching. to install sewers and
sidewalks. This is parsimony. Every new
building adds to the city's assets, in taxes
and borrowing power. and improves our
citizenship. Home-building should be en-
couraged by the city. 1t Is economy and
the best Of investments for us to provide
streets. sewers and sidewalks in advance
OF, or at least in connection with. the
erection Of new buildings. Lack Of funds
should not materially prevent such a pol
icy, for the increased taxes should more
than take care of every cent so extended,
even II borrowed. This suggest II also
applies to the encouragement Of ou., water
facilities for transportation. and to other
matters which I shall take the liberty to
talk with you about later on.
Third. as to new industries. We 'ould
cooperate more closely with the - am
Der Of Commerce in aiding in the estat-
lishment Of new industries; and that CO.
operation should stop short only at the
line Of limit Of our auth. rity. The failure
Of city governments t. It in this regard
is responsible for such non-partisan Or
ganizations as boards Of trade and i'm
provement societies. Let US make amends
in future through cooperation.
Fourth, as to our guests. The manage
ment Of a private corporation ENCOURAGES
inspection Of its plant. for reasons of pride
and business. So a municipal corporation
should welcome it's visitors in more tangi-
BILE form than mere permission to walk
about its streets and stop at its hotels and
restaurants. Our lake should be freer for
pleasure. our parks made even more at
tractive and the council should work with
the merchants. hotels and transportation
companies in inviting and entertaining
our visitors. A little of the Western town
spirit. where the latch-string is left out
for every stranger. would do US and our
guests much good.
1t will be my policy to submit to your
honorable board such recommendations
upon question as they may arise from time
to time.
Progress can be made only by trying to
progress; and in these suggestions and in
some which may later make. ask your
aid.
Respectfully submitted.
]. HOLMES JACKSON. Mayor.
ALDERMEN ORGANIZE.
The new board Of aldermen met at two
O'Clock for the purpose Of organization
Eugene A. Luck being elected president
of the board. with no one nominated
.on hsd 49,, ..nnrt.s " ~. ""... .n
d.,,v.,sa IA. r.~s.o S,Sas "N
ma.t,r1 ~ ~. c,.v no'a.,, ,,s,"t ~.
held for the purpose Of electing city ON.
cials 10 servo the ensuing year. The prin'
clpa' cnanse was IN tho ONCE OF city clerk
Gaward b. corey was elected to this po
sition' RECEIVING eight votes to hve for NJ
Y. Srahoy' VINO mas heid THIS position ant
poIormeo most emc'ent service IN th'
c!tys ihterests tor tne past eight years
MI. 1rahdy resigned MS once Tor the un
expired term 'mmeo'ateiy aiter the meet
'"s ana was succecaeo at the regular
meetng OF the board In the evening b,
MT COREY.
inc only otner cnahee OF great impor
,ance was IN the once OF city grand juror
Ezra M. horton succeeding Clarence II
| Whte. Ihere "ehe contests Tor the Of
nee OF stIee. comm,ssloher' G. L. Dollar
being elected with seven votes, James f
Meoener receiving nve and G. II. Lesso
receiving one; tor the once OF cemetery
comIn.ss'oner. 'ohh Haiioran being elect
ed with seveo votes and Howard Cram
RECEIVING SIX; Tor the once OF electric
'snt eommlsslo"er, Alphonse II. Duhame