The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-12-12
LETTER FROM
MAYOR ANDERSON

Editor Star: | have been requested |
by several of my friends to express
myself in regard to the coming cleo
tion in the city.
l realize that possibly l may SUBJ
ject myself to criticism on account of
the fact that / am at present holding
public office in the city. However, as
the citizens of Ocala know, I am not
a candidate for reelection, nor have
any interest in the affairs of the city
other than desire to promote the
best interests of 0cala, and great
eagerness for substantial progress in
its affairs therefore, consider it my
duty to the citizens of Ocala to ex-
press myself about matters of which
have first hand knowledge.
/ am perfectly frank in admitting
that the last two years have accom-
plished really one thing only, that is
increased interest On the part of the
citizens of Ocala in affairs political.
| consider that the administration has
accomplished much in the attainment
of this, but ] consider this the extent
of its accomplishments. AS long as
the people continue to take an active
interest in the affairs of their city
government, that city government will
continue
There have been claims made by
several of the candidates for election
that they were instrumental in bring
ing about the construction of the
white way. This work was due entire
| ly to the efforts of the board of
trade and the committee appointed by
it. The council did not even father
the idea, much less do any work nee
essary to its realization. IL it had not
been for the working committee of
the board of trade our streets today
would be as dark as they were two
years ago. If this white way is to be
feather in the cap of any civic OF
political body, it should rightfully
adorn the cap of the board of trade.
One of the principal issues in the
present campaign is the question of g
city manager. / have expressed my
helf heretofore in the newspapers re
garding my position in this matter
and / have had occasion before Il
| compare the present management o.
i city business to a large corporation
. without any general manager. Co
ordination in the various branches O.
, city affairs is the most crying neet
: that we have. All of the new candi
dates have announced themselves Il
favor of giving the city manage
form of government a fair trial.
Let US then. examine the position 0
q the members of the present city coun
r ell, who are before the people for re
. election, in regard to this most i'm
, portant issue. / note by the commu
) nications of one councilman throug
the press that Mr.. D. E. McIver
and has always been in favor of tn
city manager form of government.
q recall very distinctly, and l presum
many others who were present, wi
r. also recall, Mr.. McIver' statement
a me at a council meeting one nigl
! when l was urging upon the coune
d the necessity of electing city mai
10 ager in fact. This statement / b.
,e lieve / can quote verbatim. He salt
IT ''Mr. Anderson. we have city MAJ
5. ager, and we are very well satisfi'
IS with him, and we don't intend
change"
Mr.. McIver made this statemel
without referring the matter broug
I'D by me to the council for vote, al
without requesting from any 9th
60 councilman his views in the matte
he He took it upon himself at that tir
no to express the view of the enti
council in the matter. His stateme
then. that ne was always in favor
the city manager form of governmel
ke but that he was in a minority on t
tn council and was unable TO aecomph
Il the purpose, is particularly true