The Punta Gorda herald., 1922-03-24
COMMISSIONERS S0UABBLE
ABOUT THE ROAD MONEY
Mr.. Hobson Thinks He's Not Getting
Square Deal, But Others
Think That He Is

ing, all the members of the board
except Mr.. Hobson were present,
Later on, Mr.. Hobson came in and
took his seat.
The clerk read a letter from the
Saint Augustine board of trade uTg-
ing concerted action throughout the
state in behalf of good roads, in
which letter the board was invited to
attend a good roads meeting to be
held in Saint Augustine March 29th
and 30th. Another letter read was
from James E. Bartlett of Jackson
Michigan, inquiring what is being
done to build a road from here to the
Sarasota county line, and saying that
he is willing to be taxed for that pur-
pose. 1t seems that he owns much
land in Charlotte county.
Then followed a discussion of the
cost of mining surfacing materials
for roads. 1t was stated that the
cost is now $500 per cubic yard for
the material delivered on the edge of
the pit as the work is being done at
present by a very crude method.
Mr.. Whitten brought up the ques-
tion of issuing bonds for refunding
the outstanding bonds and also for
completing the road system of the
county. He said that he understood
that a committee of citizens had been
appointed to investigate the best and
most economic procedure for plac
ing any bonds that might be issued
and he would like to hear from that
committee. Thereupon, on his sug-
@estion, Mr. Knight went out, looked
up the committee, made inquiry OF
them and, on returning, said they
were not ready to report. 1t SHOULD
be said that the commissioners =
not appoint this committee; they
were appointed by meeting Of c'
Zens.
MIR Whitten offered a resolution.
which was adopted, directing the
clerk to correspond with a number of
engineering firms with a view to as
certaining what they will charge to
survey the roads of the county and
furnish plans and specifications with
guaranteed estimates.
A motion by Mr.. Gottfried that the
road funds be divided between the
I'VE districts in proportion to taxes
paid by them, caused much discus
sion, finally resulting in the adoption
of motion that the road supervisor
be instructed to 90 with Mr. GOttfricd
over the roads in his district, asccr-
tain what work on them is needed,
what it will cost, and report at next
meeting.
During the discussion of this and
kindred matters, MI Hobson cross
examined Mr.. Whitten, so to speak,
as TO the latters attitude towards the
Cleveland-Bermont and other dis
tricts. Mr.. Whittcn explained that
the Punta Gorda district had less
road mileage and paid more taxes
than any other district Of the county;
but as the people of this district
wanted road to Atcadia, which
must necessarily pass through the
Cleveland district, and another road
10 Sarasota and Tampa, which had to
pass through the districts north OF
the bay, he was willing that part Of
the taxes paid by the Punta Gorda
district should be applied to the roads
in the other districts named. Mr..
Hobson propOunded in rapid order
several questions implying that he
doubted Mr.. Whitten's good faith,
but the latter answered all of them
calmly and&vithout exhibiting resent
ment.
Mr.. Hobson seemed to think that
his district was not getting its just
proportion of the county road money
and wanted the present system OF
warking the roads changed so that his
district would get its exact proper
tion of the money. In the discussion
il was brought out that everyone on
the board except Nh HObsOn thought
that his district and Mr.. Knights dis
trict had, so tar, receiver llole Cn"h
any other district in the county, Mr..
Knight admitting that his district had
probably received a larger proper
tionate share than any other district,
Tor which he was grateful. SO far as
might be judged from the converse
ton, or argument, everyone except
Mr.. Hobson was entirely satisfied
with the present method of working
the roads, although it was suggested
that it might be found more econo-
mical to let Mr.. Gottfried work the
roads in his district Independently of
the others, owing to its remoteness
from the remainder of the county.
However, as noted above, it was de-
cided to investigate this matter before
ia ing action. During Mr.. HoOson