The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1919-01-23
MASS MEETING HELD
TO DISCUSS STREETS
CITY STREETS AND FINANCES
UNDER DISCUSSION
Finally Decided that Reassessment of
City Property Be Had Before Any
Definite Plan for Permanent Good
Streets Is Made.

The condition of the streets of Cow
ington has been source of much
complaint on the part of the citizens
and of much worry on the part Of
the board of mayor and aldermen.
For the purpose Of getting the towns
condition fairly before the people,
the board suggested that a mass
meeting be called and all property
owners and interested citizens invited
to attend.
The meeting was held in the Bus
liness Mems clubrooms on Tuesday
might of this week, and was attended
by about 40 representative citizens
and taxpayers. The meeting was
called to order by the secretary of
the club, and the object of the meet
ing was stated by Mayor J.JGreen,
who presided Mayor Green stated
that the board wanted the citizens to
know the exact condition of the
towns finances and the cost of the
work that had been proposed, and
then desired an expression as to what
should be done
Recorder |. L. Bringle read a re-
port showing the towns total indebt-
edness, bonded and floating, to be
about 100000. A floating debt Of
about $4,000, which was converted
into interest-bearing warrants some
years ago, was being paid off at the
rate of $1,000 a year, but at the
same time new floating debt is ac-
formulating at about the same rate.
This is unavoidable, owing to the
thigh cost of coal, labor and material,
and owing to the further fact that
we have ridiculously low assessed
valuation of property, and almost no
personal property reported for taxa
ton, Mr.. Bringle said that investiga-
ton showed that we have a lower as
sessed valuation Of property and
much smaller amount of personal
property reported than other towns
lin this section, some Of which have
a much smaller population.
Mr. Grant Reid, chairman of the
street committee, said that while
the board had not recommended any
particular kind Of street improve
Iment, the Improvements that had
been suggested to the board was
about 10 miles of gravel, the gravel
now on the streets to be revoked,
Iresurfaced and oiled, and certain
amount of new work with the same
finish, the approximate cost to be
about $4,000 This type of street
would have to be oiled again in about
two years. With this understanding
Of conditions and other information
furnished by the board, general
discussion followed which resulted in
a rather general lack of confidence
in the proposed type of streets. A
motion was finally passed expressing
full confidence in the board of mayor
and aldermen, and advising that the
necessary legislation be secured and a
city assessor appointed. The motion
also advised that when, through the
new assessment or other means, the
citys' finances shall be put in better
condition, the citizens shall then be
called upon to- vote on proposition
for permanent streets. 1t was UNDER
stood that by permanent was meant
concrete base and asphalt surface, or
its equivalent.
the meeting gave opportunity for a
full and free discussion of the city
affairs, end resulted in a better UNI
Outstanding Of conditions. Other
such meetings on different subjects
might prove helpful.