Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-11-05
In this. the fourth of series of
articles on city manager govern
ment, the success of the Virginia
seaport city of Norfolk is told.

NORFOLK, Va, Nov. 5.--"The
city manager form of government
here has completely transformed con-
ditions under which we previously
operated" said Barton Myers, presi-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce
of Norfolk.
That expression briefij >lmmar!z-
es the vast majority of informed
opinion in Norfolk today on city
management.
D The old oraginzation of a two
chamber legislature, with represen-
tatives in the council from ten wards,
resulted in the usual log rolling
through which unnecessary eXpendi
lures were frequently made to secure
votes from wards, where eXepndi-
lures were not of equal Importance
with many matters left undone, y
continued Mr.. Myers. The constant
ly changing personnel of an unpaid
council brought in men of inexperi-
ence, sometimes only actuated by
personal ambition or interest. We
now have a legislative paid council
of five business men with very ac-
tive and efficient city manager. The
development of the city is traced as
a whole, all propositions are consid-
cred and legislation promptly adopt
ed. The result has been the adop-
ton of a harmonious plan of physi-
cal improvement; reorganization of
the police, health and other depart
ments. And while this simplified
form of government has now been
in operation about two years, its su-
perior efficiency is so generally re-
cognized that under no circumstances
would we return to the former sys-
tenn"
Independent investigation con-
firms these statements. On Septem-
Der 1, 1918, when city manager gov
ernment went into effect here, the
city deficit, by audit, was $931 600.
This had been reduced by 100000
and at the end of the first fiscal pc
riod of ten months, over 100000 OF
unexpended balance was turned back
into the city treasury, and the audi
tors report showed that the city had
S524,119,23 more that could be ap-
piled on the deficit should the city
council see fit.
With this financial showing, 1t
might be supposed that city improve
ments, in a time of high costs, would
be neglected. Such is not the case.
Three new school buildings have
been erected att an expenditure OF
approximately $400, 900. Forty-three
streets were paved; thirty-six sewer
extensions made and five water m
stallations were completed. Norfolk
is a shipping port. Harbor con-
ditions are most important to its
economic life. During the first tls-
cal period under city management,
harbor front improvements were
completed in conjunction with al,
jacent property owners tStandard
Oil company and Norfolk Portsmouth
Belt Linel amounting to SZ5O,O00'
adding $75O,O0O to the city's water
front values in land These improve
ments, will eventually amount to 81
100000. The city completed a sur
vey for a S3,0OO,000 water extension
and started work on it last spring.
Besides these Improvements, much
work was done in widening and
strengthening many streets, and
big program of street paving, seWe'
and water extension is under way,
How about public safety in Nor
folk? When City Manager Charles
E. Ashburner took office under the
new form of government, the news
papers were full of criticism of the
police department. Today Norfolk
has nothing but praise of the con-
duct of the department, and citizens
feel a pride in the uniform force,
both of the police and fire depart
ment. g.,
The health department is branch
of the Public Welfare department..
The health department is operating
new city hospital that has been
built by the city manager admins
tration. Free clinics, including den
tai clinic. are conducted.
The public works department is
under the head of director, unity
ing all public works under one head.
The various branches-sewer, street
construction, street maintenance,