Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-11-24
Proposed Lighting
System Its Pros
And Its Cons

ny 0VNAAa AS0 i AOo
And Its Cons
On next Tuesday the voters of
Gardiner will, or at least should, go
to the polls and not only cast their
vote for an Alderman Of. Public
Safety and Charities. but also their
vote as to whether or not Gardiner
should or should not enter into con-
tract with the Central Maine Power
Co. for the installation of a new
lighting system for Water street, be-
tween Wintes and Vine, and Of
Depot Square. The real proposition
is to see whether >the city shall ac-
ccpt the proposition made by the
Gardiner Board of Trade for term
of years, whereby the said Board are
to pay $1,000 annually of the addi-
tional $1,000 which the new system is
to cost. The interest created in the
affair is becoming intense and all
indications point to as large vote
on the above question as on the Sc
lection OF an alderman.
The Journal has interviewed TWO
of the leading men OF Water street
one OF whom is for and the other
against the proposition. Hon. George
W.Heselton said in substance. Il am
against the proposition for the fol-
lowing reasons. Our tax rate is 50
mills, am told that cur valuation is
about as strong as we could expect.
and | feel that We should now be
taxed for nothing but necessities.
This lighting proposition certainly
comes under the category of luxuries.
II would light but portion of the
street. that from Winter to Vine and
Depot Square. very small part of
the city which is now lighted 1t
would be OF no material benefit to
those outside OF this district. Even
in this district very few of the stores
are open more than one evening a
week The entire expense is said to
be $1,000 per annum. If capitalized
this would mean $4,000 at 4Go inter-
est, which the city wouldsbe obliged
TO carry Indefinitely. 1t would be
like a permanent investment Of that
amount, because when once fastened
On the city it would never be re-
linquished. Expenses of this kind in
crease rather than go back. The
proposed lighting system would
cover a territory at right angles to
Brunswick avenue am Church street.
cur two main thoroughfares. 1t ap-
rears to me that it would be no at
fractions to those passing through
our city. Better use the funds in re-
pairing the streets instead of using
it to show up the imperfections. We
can't have everything we want to
beautify the city but we can have
certain improvements which are alb
soluteIy necessary. II is represented
that the Board of Trade will pay
$1,000 per annum. | question the
right of the Board to use the money
which the Commonwealth pay for
taxes. for this purpose. 1t would be
diverting it from legitimate chan
nels Of use. Granting however
their right to do so, what about the
income Of the Board of Trade should
the Commonwealth move away.
firmly believe that this money should
be used for something that will bene-
fit the whole people"
Elvin A. Leighton is just as
strongly in favor Of the proposition
as the last gentleman is against it.
He said. II believe that a new light
ing system will benefit Gardiner.
that's why I favor it. Show me some
use for the money that Will be Of
greater benefit to the city and I'll be
in favor of that: but have yet to be
oil
that it ought not to be done, just
show US why. Just a word about
this one night week business. Just
let me say that on that one night
we merchants do the bulk OF our
weeks business"
An interview with another gentle
man was secured only on promise to
keep his name strictly secret brought
forth the following: Anyone who
travels at all knows that the visitor
gets his first and most lasting i'm
preston from the business section of
q city and they also know that this
impression is strongly influenced by
the lighting of the business section,
both street and store. I doubt il you
can find man in Gardiner who
would not like to see the lighting
system installed If it didn't cost any
thing. Hence it is the cost only that
rs objected 10. Everybody admits
that if it had not been for the Gardi-
ner Board of Trade we would have
had no Hazard and no Common
wealth factories. Those OF US who
have invested money in those enter
rrises through the Board of Trade.
have had no reason to feel dissatis-
fed. for the desired end has been ac-
complished. Now it is proposed to
pay for the lighting system with
money that has never been coming
into the Golfers OF the city or Board
OF Trade before. don't know to
whom 1t belongs but do know that
Il it goes toward the lighting it will
go into civic Improvement, and
that's more than I know it would do