The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-09-20
CITY COUNCIL NOTES.

The headliner of the evening was the
designations of city clerk John j. Kel-
ley and his deputy Carl Weseman, both
to take effect November first.
There have been rumors for some
weeks that the city could not retain
MIR. Kelley much longer but the action
came as surprise. Mr.. Kelley en-
tered the city service as utility
clerk shortly after the electric plant
was taken over by the city and about
year later in April, 1915, was elected
by the council TO succeed Arthur
Reichert who had been clerk for 20
years. The salary was increased to
$500 per year last spring and 1t is said
that Mr.. Kelley was recently promised
that it would be $500 when salaries
are again fixed next spring if he would
stay but he would not promise TO re-
main. The Aluminium Goods Co. has
now made him an offer to take charge
of its new credit department which the
city could not meet in salary and GER
tainly not in opportunity for advance
ment. AS clerk Mr.. Kelley has work
ed wonders in putting the city on n
business basis. He had TO battle
against typical municipal laxness in
methods. The circumlocutlon Office
was abolished. 1t would take volume
to explain what he has done for the
city Manitowocs municipal Office is
run with the clock-like efficiency of
large successful corporation. 1t is
model for Wisconsin cities. MIR. Kel.
ley's salary was not charge against
city funds. What he received as sal
AIRY ne saved the city several times
over. 1t would be economy to double
the salary if he could be held but un-
fortunately cities are not run that way.
MIR. Weseman, is an expert account
ant and has been a tireless, faithful
worker.
Walter Staetfler, one of the clerks ip
the Office, was appointed deputy by
Mr.. Kelley this week and If he does
not succeed Mr., Kelley as clerk it will
probably be due to his extreme youth.
He vas handpicked by the clerk and
trained in the city work.
An appropriation Of $50 90 was voted
to secure an option on the Maresh
farm ua the North Side Rapids road
for park land A price of S7500 is said
To have been made on the 66 acre
place. The farm is largely woodland
aud is one OF the few available large
park sites near the city. 1t contains
a wooded ravine, the place where the
Atlas Powder Company's stock of ex-
plosives went of in one big blast few
years ago which left only handful of
charred shreds as the remains of JOS
eph Mlada, local agent for the COM
pany.
The city has police alarm system
but it seems to he hors de com bat or
something like that. The policeman
opens blue box with key and says
ARE you there?" and closes the door
with the understanding that If the desk
man was not there he would say so.
Chief Crolfman said it needs fixing and
wants system where COP on the
beat can be informed that he is needed
without waiting till the officer calls
up from a box. There are such sys-
TENS. Chairman of Folice Kazda said
his committee will look over the outfit
at Sheboygon which is modern equip
ment. Somebody wanted to know what
Chief Kratz is doing to earn the 500
extra he gets annually as electrical
expert" This is curious survival OF
days when the city did not have an
electrical plant of its own and high
priced experts in the city employ.
The city will buy the three Falge
lots on the south beach near the utili-
ty plant.
Tax collection is little over three
months off and the city treasury is
pretty nearly depleted. The city will
have to go a-borrowing.
The city is in a little argument with
liability company over the compensa-
tion due to i. Ruth injured in city
water pipe trench. The doctor says
disability was for only one week but
the employe, as usual, wants to stretch
it.
Last February the new asphalt paw
ing on north Sth street began to heaye
in places for blocks along one street
car rail. 1t was evidently caused by
water getting in and then freezing,
The city has been after the contractor,
Rasmussen Co. of Oshkosh, all summer
and they now promise TO be here short.
ly and fix il. 1t is guaranteed for five
years.
The matter of water main extensions
was threshed out The city is growing
so fast that extensions are imperative.
The cost has gone way up and labor is
hardly to be had at all Revolinski
suggested higher pay and wanted an
explanation Of several ren having
been discharged. Mc'Keough said
that the superintendent had been Civ
en- full control and that the council