The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-06-25
Service Director Rents Plot
Without Councils
Consent
CITIZENS INDIGNANT
OVER SPOILED PLANS
Faddis Defends Self; Says
People Do Not Care
For Parks

III nau Decn my nope, declared
Service Director Albert Faddis recent
ly. that the appearance of Mt Yer
non would be improved by the city
as much as Is possible considering it's
financial condition. which is far from
good and that then the citizens would
take the matter up where the munich
palIty was forced to leave off and car
ry the work further as q matter of civ.
ic pride.
1--WE have a number of little parks
In various sections of Mt. Vernon that
! might we'll become beautiful with a
little care and besides forming a
pleasing sight to the residents of the
ncighbOrhoOd would leave a favorable
impression ON the stranger passing
through Mt. Vernon as we'll as add
materially to the value of tho prop
critics In their vicinity by reason of
their wcll-kept appearance
~ have been disappointed to some
extent In these hopes for various rea-
sons. To begin with the city treasury
is practically myth and then there
seems to be littlo if any desire on the
part of citizens residing near these
parks to see them improvcd-at least
If TO improve them means that they
must cxpond either n little time or
money on thGM themselves"
MIR. Faddis made this statement in
connection with an interview by The
Hammer upon ,his action In recently
renting to an lice cream vendor the
little point of land al the north end of
the Main street pavement, where
Wooster avenue begins to be used as
a site for a small frame shack from
which the rcnteK 'cXpeGts' to sell his
wares during ne ssummdr.
The appearance Of the little build
Ing upon this pieco of land, upon
which number OF residents of the
North End spend considerable time
and money last summer in an endcay
or to convert It into a beauty spot by
means OF shtdbiiery.S etc. is said to
have caused considerable Indignation
on the part of these same persons.
Service Director Faddis excused his
action In renting tho city's property
to a private individual for commercial
purposes by saying that the city's fin
ahces were low and II afforded an op.
portunity to obtain little revenue
and added that he thought tho citi-
zcns OF the North Side would be glad
OF an opportunity to refresh them
selves with leo cream during the sum
mer without having to go, or send.
clear down town for It.
Mr. Faddis also said that little evi.
dence remained to show that tho
North Side cared what become of the
park inasmuch as Il was In IA Gecid-
edly unkcmpt condition this spring
and Is at the present time. According
to II. ]. Arnold, however. who had u
prominent part In the Improvement of
the park last year. nothing had been
done this spring owing to the fact that
the paving of Wooster avenue was to
be commenced and II was thought
best to wait until this was done be.
fore an attempt was made to clean
tho park up.
|, Aside from the fact that IL is doubt
ful II the service director was within
the scope of the powers of his office
In renting the park without first OBJ
tanning the consent of the city coun-
ell, several citizens In tho vicinity of
the park are said to be highly inccns
cd over the precmption of this llttlc
spot as site for an leo cream stand
and one man at least has expressed
himself as willing to begin injunction
proceedings to prevent It's being put
To any such use.
In defense of his action I'm renting
this park the service director pointed
to tho unkcmpt condition of this park
and to the same condition prevailing
IN the little park In f. Gambler street
ana between COshocton avenue and
Chestnut street.
Theyre permitted To grow up with
weeds and long grass and no attempt
IS made to keep them clean" he de
clarod,
While Mr., Faddis is at least par
tiai'y right in this conclusion 1t is
pointed out with vehemence by the
aggrived North Enders" that 1t
doesn't follow that the park could be
, rented by him without the consent
| iof the city council and some even ex.
press doubts II the council could rent