Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-07-13

vi AAOAA0AH &f0hAA Ot0hAS DaCt -
an adjourned meeting to vote on the
third and final reading of the ordinance
providing for a change of the govern
ment of Wildwood Crest. The follow
Crane, James Booth, E. NJ. Campbell,
J. f. James and w. A. Turner. A
large number of taxpayers were present.
Ernest Lloyd, Esq, solicitor of Cape
May, and Charles BONN, of Lower
Township, came as guests of D. Miles
Rigor. The ordinance providing for
division Into wards was passed. There
will be two wards in the event of
change of government, the first extend
ing to the north side of Cardinal road
and the second extending from the
south side of Cardinal road to the end
of the Crest.
Councilman James then requested
that all the taxpayers present should
voice their opinions on the subject of
whether or not the Crest is to become a
city of the fourth class. Rutic Adams
availing himself of this suggestion said
that he thought it a good thing if the
entire question were explained to the
taxpayers. Councilman Crane advised
that the mayor enlighten the meeting
on the issue at hand.
Mayor Baker agreed to this and took
the floor in an endeavor to explain the
cffnotfon uo caS1 ~ mart. tgTf 5c diff
ficult to explain a subject when one is
not clear on it. This is my position.
Now, two freeholders seem to be a ben
eft. If such is the case we may estab-
lish representation as one benefit to be
derived from the change. But we are
asmail community gettingo on smoothly
as possible and a change in the system
of government will make matters a
little more complicated. Under the
new system there will be a mayor, six
councilmen, and mi councilman-at-
large. The councilmen elect a president
of the board, and they transact all the
business. The mayor is endowed with
sonnet trivial duties and yet he is respon-
sible for the faithful performance of
duty by the officials. If only my per-
sonal feelings in the matter were the
only consideration I'd be glad to see
this new form OF government, for it
would give me much less to do than |
have now, that is if L were elected may
OF. You may think that the duties of
running a small town like this are very
slight but [ regret to say that there isn't
a day but what something comes up
that gives me a great deal of worry. I'd
give a thousand dollars to be able to
give up the job. My age requires more
rest and less worry. The change in
government would mean additional ex-
pense to the Crest. We would have to
have two assessors Instead of one and
uT-rc; the gen.
eral election in the fall and the city
election in the spring.
'Only ONT of these elections will be
held at our expense, Mr.. Mayor" cor
rected Mr.. Rigor, 'tthe county pays for
DAC eCbClai CiCObiOAis CnldyOI obOOu
corrected. 1--WE must, however, elect
five school trustees" said the mayor,
continuing his remarks, "The law says
that this is obligatory. Furthermore
we must elect a superintendent of
schools with a salary of not less than
$1,000. We would also have to build a
school house, not one designed to come
within the price W. could afford, but
one built after plans furnished by the
State Board of Education. This would
mean a terrible expense. 2 And last of
all the mayors salary is to be $1,000. l
doubt if I'd get it, for our council is too
economical
In answer to these statements, Mr..
Rigor said, 1--WE have a clique against
us, headed by Fox of Ocean City. I'm
less we get two freeholders to hold our
end of the fight, we don't get that Cape
May road. These opponents are about
to build a road from the mainland into
Ocean City and I have spoken with
property owners and freeholders during
the past week and they all say that
unless we get those two freeholders we
will not get the Cape May road. AS
for the building of a school that is a
state matter pure and simple. 1t does
not depend on our being a city, but
upon the number of children we have.
Sea Isle City with ~sixty-one voters has
two freeholders. Mark what I tell you
gentlemen, if we do not get freeholders
we do not get the road"
I wonder if the present freeholders
on this island are in favor of the road?n
asked the mayor.
zone freeholder was against it and
one was lukewarm until recently, 1 am