New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-05-17
yuE MAYORS MESSAGE

YHE MAYORS MESSAGE
As customary for mayors when
they enter upon a term at the cIty's
steering wheel, Mr.. PaonesSa has dc
liyered an annual message trcight"d
with keen observations and a resume
OF municipal business and needs.
The opportunity to tell it all in one
grand display of literary VlrtuoSIty IS
usually accepted with alacrity and
the mayors present contribution is
no exception, the message beng
about three columns in length.
There Is little doubt about what the
mayor means, either. and on some
Of the topics more could scarcely be
added without undue repetition.
A striking section of the mayoral
declaration is the revival of the
movement for a municipal airport.
The mayor must be aware that
virtually everyone was in favor Of the
plan a year ago but that it went up
in thin smoke when the cost of an
airport site became part of the
discussion. Last October the aviation
committee of the Common Council
went SO far as to recommend the
purchase of the Edman property of
IA acres in Newington at a cost of
$4,000, it being held up as an add
tional attraction that there was also
enough land there for a golf course.
When the powers that be began
figuring with their lead pencils,
however, the cost caused them to
lose patience, and even Ed Hall,
custodian of the strong box, waXed
pessimistic. Anyway. no money was
Appropriated in the economy budget,
the general impression at the time
being that securing airports was too
expensive and would react on the
tax rate. The city election being oyer.
however, perhaps the new mayor
will have less to worry about on this
score. Anyway, here we are again
with the proposal that the city
acquire an airport. All We have to
say Is the city dads should watch
their steps.
Important, too, is the mayors
declaration that unprotected rail
road crossings should be eliminated
at the rate Of one a year. This plan,
IL the railroad can be induced to
fail in line, would mean mucn to the
city. His revamping Of the park COM
mission continues with a wish that
the recreation commission and the
park board be combined, which
would give more work to the park
board am whether it would improve
matters Is a matter of opinion. An
nouncement that a municipal golf
course is possible in the northern
section will be received with acclaim
by a section of the population which,
when 1t wishes to play golf. goes to
Hartford. The public itself should be
given the opportunity to say where
a new high school should be erect
ed, the mayor says this being an ad-
dttional blow against the plan to
enlarge the present high school to
the limit of the possibilities before
going to another site.
True to his statement during the
election, the mayor continues to APP
prove Of the plan to have the public
control large appropriations through
u board of control. similar to the
erstwhile public meeting board, or
through some similar body. This is
a good scheme and is conversant
with efficient and democratic govern
ment. The elimination of the public
meeting board has not set well with
many citizens who now discover that
they have little check-none what
ever, apparently-upon plans in
volving a large expenditure of
money. II the mayors scheme for
such board could be set into action
at once the purchase of an airport
run the gauntlet of such a board and
the result might be interesting.