Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-19

GiuhluS uuQ .oU
Int. on Bridge Bonds ........ SO
Int. on New High School Bonds go
Gardiner and Randolph Bridge, 20
$4,000
Now if you want your city council
to sit still and do nothing then
see where the tax rate or the present
valuation need not be disturbed. In
fact l believe it could be even less
than last year. This would be an
easy plan for the city council.
Simply do just what is necessary for
the town to exist. In other words
continue in the old way. But you
do not want this method of admins
tration and NEITHER do the men whom
you have elected to administer the
affairs of your city.
l believe 1t is not so much concern
to the people the amount of their tax
as 1t Is what they get for what they
pay out in taxes. A prominent citi-
zen told me only the other day that
to his mind a person got more real
value for his dollar paid out in mu-
nfcipal taxes than for any other
money paid out. And I believe this
would be the general opinion if people
stopped to think it over.
1t has APPEALED to me from the very
beginning Of this year that the peo-
pie were looking for something to be
done in the way Of Improvements to
our city and that the road and street
betterment was the paramount issue.
With this idea in view we secured
after great deal Of care and con-
sideration a. trained road builder and
We think that this man can save US
considerable amount Of money in
the Water street project. / simply
bring this matter up as one Of the
reasons for contemplating the carry
ing out of this measure
Now 1t was suggested by one of the
opposition that we defer the Water
street project until the fall and either
refer 1t to a referendum vote or in
some way know more of the senti-
ment OF the people regarding the
matter. But I personally consider
this method unwise, as putting the
matter Off only deprives our citizens
that I believe will result from this
improvement.
+ Another matter touched on by the
opposition was that the rural resi-
dents and farmers of Gardiner would
not benefit by this Improvement to
Water street and would therefore be
hostile to carrying out the project.
do not believe this to be true, as my
knowledge and acquaintance with our
rural neighbors leads me to believe
that they will share and enjoy with
the rest OF us n good street to ride
over In this day of automobiles
we find our main street lined Satur-
cay afternoons and many of the other
days Of the week with the cars of the
farmers and other rural residents of
Gardiner. And I believe there Is no
class of citizens who will be more
benefited by good roads and streets
than the farmer. 1t Is sure that no
one uses them more both for business
and pleasure.
In conclusion let me add that If we
are to have anything in our genera
ton we must have it now. I do not
believe in extravaganza or expendi-
ture Of the public money unless we
get value received or a good return
on the investment. And I sincely be-
lieve that the fixing Of Water street
will be a good investment for the city
Of Gardiner. And while do not be-
lieve in extravaganza. neither do I
believe in n conservatism that
amounts to stagnation. But If we
are to march forward as a munich
pality we must keen up with the
times and not he loath to share a
part of our prosperity for the general
welfare and improvement of our
home town.
AZ the close of the meeting F.. A.
leighton. and T.. S. Smith. Water
street merchants expressed to the
council their approval of the proceed
ing of the meeting. and esnecia1lv of
the decision Of the repaving of Water
street.