The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-05-10
MAYOR LE|GHTY AND
COUNCIL SWORN IN
MAYOR DELIVERS INAUGURAL
AND APPOINTS NEW CON-
MiTTEES
PROGRAM FOR FUTURE IS MENTION
Policy Outlined by Mayor Gives Pre-.
Use of Efficient z
Economy :
PROGRAM FOR FUTURE IS MENTION:

On Monday evening the old C
council transacted the last of its bust
ness for the past year and the new al
dermen were sworn in and took their
seats. II. II. Hoy was returned by the
first ward and H. c. Halvorson, A. L..
Moberg, Chas. Martinson and f. B.
Wiley were elected for the other three
wards, the last two representing the
fourth where there was a vacancy.
After Mayor Mathews had introduced
Mr.. Leighty, the new mayor delivered
the following address to the new coun-
Gil:
Gentlemen of the City Council:-In
these days when war and high costs
are confronting us and the world at
large is all at sea, it seems well that We
as the governing body of this city
should start a new business year with
some idea of the questions of public in
terest that confront us. Briefly let me
outline some of the things that we will
have to consider and provide for.
The former council has provided for
Sewer District No. 2 covering an inn
portant part of the city on the south
side. These people of course are en-
titled to all of the privileges enjoyed
by the other citizens of the town; but
it is conditions with which we have to
deal, and we find that no water system
has been provided for taking care Of
the sewage from this NV district and
it would be worse than useless to pro-
coed further with its development In
til the water question has been set
tied. Also the increase in cost of pipe,
which l am told is about 1000, the
possibility that the pipe cannot be OBJ
tanned, and the financial condition both
of the city and the citizens affected,
must all enter into your calculations.
The city heating system demands i'm
mediate consideration. Meters have
been installed, but l am told that they
are not being used to calculate the
price charged for heat and that the old
fat rate is in use. The possible use CT
these meters should be investigated by
a competent man and tested with a
view to their immediate use. The
meter system is the most equitable
and Just both for the city and the
user. but if it cannot be used then our
fat rate must be readjusted on account
of the rise in the price of coal. This
should be done at once, as if we stay
on the old fiat rate and then raise that
rate we must give the property owners
time during the summer to install or
overhaul plants, if they feel that they
cannot stand the raise that will be nee
essary.
The law demands that all of the pur-
chasing of supplies and letting of con-
tracts must be done through sealed
bids. We must comply with this law
for the protection of our tax payers
and the economical spending of the
city's money.
The streets of the city demand i'm
mediate attention. They must be put
in first class condition, both for the
sake of safety and for the convenience
of the resident and the visitor from the
country. Business will never come 20
Bookings with the streets in an i'm
passable condition. The question of
paving is being seriously considered
and urged. Personally | am in favor
of the immediate paving of Main street
from the railroad tracks to Eighth
street. But in considering the time
when this shall be done we must con-
slider the present condition of the
street and the probable cost of the
work. At the same time that this
street is paved the question of placing
suitable lights thereon must be settled
and the lights installed before the paw
ing makes it impossible. As to the
paving in the residence portion of the
city, | believe that it should not be
ordered until a reasonable majority of
the tax payers affected shall petition
IOT Tie Sdluc. IloSiSoS hiuSI NC MAUI,
but no unnecessary burdens placed on
anyone.
The raising Of money for current ex-
penses will. engage your attention and
for the information Of some and to jog
the memories of others l will say that
we have outstanding Sill, 100000 in
bonds and $4,000 90 in city warrants.
Taxation is always a subject that pro-