The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-10-29
A COMMUNICATION FROM
MR.. EMANUEL H. MARTIN
Ocala. "a. g. 2a 1ao1

ocala, FIa.s Oct. %, 1921.
10 the Voters of oeaIa:
l am candidate for the Office of
councilman at large in the next citv
election No individual personal IN
1erest or desire of mine moves me to
seek the office; on the contrary while
aPpreciating fully the honor of the
position, if my own private interests
financial and other, should control. /
would not event accept the Office as a
gift, much less enter into a contest to
secure 1t. l know that my attitude
10 this respect is not unusual. and that
the large majority of the members of
the present and former councils have
served the city at great personal sac
rlfce and inconvenience to them
selves; but in community ike ours
every citizen should be ready to rem
der at the opportune time some
measure of public service to the town.
which is continually in many wavs
rendering service to him. So / feel
that l am due 0cala something. and
am persuaded that may partially
discharge that obligation by active
service as a member OF the city coun-
ell. Whether or not I am mistaken
IN this belief, those who vote in the
election viii determine; and to them
! wish to state what in my opinion is
the chief issue to be decided by the
new council and what my attitude
VIII be when that issue shan be pre-
sented.
Tersely expressed, that question is
whether or not our city charter shall
be enforced. Whatever NAV be the
imperfections of that instrument. and
whatever objections might have been
made to its passage as law, we must
al admit that it now IS the law. and
as such should be respected. As a
member of the city council, / should
be guided in the performance Of nv
duty by this law, and am in favor of
an earnest effort to observe its spirit
as well as its letter. If actual exper-
ience shall demonstrate defects, we
shall at least learn what they are.
and in the proper time and by the
proper methods they may be elimi-
mated by amendment or repeal. Un-
til then, the charter as it stands
should receive the whole-hearted sun
port Of every city official and en-
ployee. Personally. ] have favored
the general plan Of city governments
outlined IN this charter, and with a
number of other citizens assisted
somewhat in drafting it. While am
quite sure it is not perfect piece Of
work, l believe that sincere, deter
mined effort to make It effective win
result in a more efficient and econom-
ical administration Of our city's busi-
ness.
Among other provisions Of the
charter is one requiring the council to
elect city manager. / am CON-
mitted to the election Of no particular
Individual to this Office, but I hope
that the new council win proceed As
soon as possible to employ a thorough
" competent man, with the distinct
understanding that he shall be man
ager in fact as vel as in name, with
all the power and latitude in the dis
charge Of his duty, which fair con-
struction of the law viii permit, and
that he be assured in advance Of the
eo-operation Of our city officers in the
clean and business-lilze conduct Of
or public corporate affairs
/ appreciate keenly the expression
Of confidence of those whose sigma
lures appear on the petition for my
nomination, and whether elected or
not, their action has given me an
additional incentive to strive to prove
worthy Of their esteem.
Respectfully,
Enamel H Martin