The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-08-21
DOWN WITH THE TAXES;
ALSO THE IMPROVEMENTS

Following is a copy of a petition
which, we understand, is to be present
ed to the council at it's next meeting:
To the Honorable City Council of the
City of Ocala, Florida:
We, the undersigned citizens and
tax payers of the town, respectfully
petition your honorable body to modi-
fly the proposed budget for 1928 so as
to reduce our taxes, as we are tired
Of paying taxes, which are a burden
on the shoulders. backs and legs of all
of us. We can remember when taxes
wasn't so high, and we got along al
right. We would suggest that the
new fire truck be sold or used to pull
the water wagon, as we understand
that is one reason why our taxes is
so high, and we don't think we are
likely to have any big fires to amount
to anything. If we do, we can borrow
a truck from Leesburg or Gainesville.
Another thing you could do, would
be to discharge the fire department
and organize a volunteer fire depart
ment like they have in Belleview
and you could rent rooms over the
fire station for considerable money
and save good deal for us poor tax
payers.
We would further suggest that the
police force could be cut down to
where it wouldn't be such a burden
We have a sheriff here anyhow, and
he would enforce our ordinances good
enough without it costing US poor
taxpayers our eye teeth.
We understand you are expecting to
raise ten thousand dollars to build
streets with next year. This is toe
much. We got plenty of streets now
must more than we had forty years
ago, and twice as much as Baldwin
has, and it is nearer to a large towr
than we are. Our lime streets (some
of them) are rough, but they could be
made rougher with but little trouble
so when you ride over 'em you know
you are riding on something, and they
have served US faithfully in the
past-us and our fathers and fathers
fathers-are Marion county pro
duct Qike cattle tick, only more SOY
and we ought not to go back on 'em
1t is unpatriotic, undemocratic. un
american, unnecessary, a blot on the
fair name of Ocala and canker OF
the body polite.
And we further respectfully protes
against building any more cement
sidewalks in this town. We can ge
along with dirt sidewalks for while
(say 20 years) longer. The cemen
sidewalk amt anything extra any
how; it makes the sun shine in you
eyes and is so hard it hurts our feet
We don't see any use spending 81
much money on oil tanks and new
tangled machinery, ct cetera. The olt
dump cart pulled by a mule will hau
just as much rock (if you give hin
time enough) as one of these her
trucks. We understand that you ar
agoing to buy a new street sweepe
for the sanitary department. Tha
is waste of US poor taxpayers hard
earned money. Let every man sweel
before his own door That is the wa,
they do in Oxford, and they ar
nearer the tourist center than we are
We desire to call to the attention o
your honorable body to one othe
matter and that is the excessive sal
aries paid to the mayor and the mem
bers of the city council. We thin
fifteen dollars a month head is to
much, the way cattle are selling nov
and we protest against squanderin
us poor tax payers money in thi
manner, and thus support in luxur