Milford chronicle., 1931-08-07
Milford, Friday, August Z, 1881

III VI vi MILF OIAD llds
made wonderful progress in i'm
proving the general appearance o.
its business section, especially along
Walnut street, for which public ap.
probation has proved in a general
expression of the action of City
Council for having brought the new
era of public progress. Of course in
making this change from unsightly
sheds in front of places of business
there has resulted new annOyances
which could have been avoided, had
the City Council have had well
formed policy in making the
changes, setforth in a general sys-
tenn for all to follow; but both City
Council and the property owners
and merchants themselves, had not
the ability to plan, or formulate a
policy to be followed, that would
complete the picture in a symetrical
form. The conditions existing result
from lack of having had one compe-
tent individual to plan the work as
it should be done to make a street
attractive, convenient and a striking
force for the creation of a beautiful
business section. 1t can be done
yet, and in the effort to create the
plan, some one with ability to see
how and why the plans must be car
ried out must be in charge.
Stand at either the First National
Bank or at the Milford Trust Com
pany Bank, two handsome struc-
lures, and look up or down Walnut
street and what a picture is reveal
ed to those who can understand. The
awnings, in front of the places of
business for two blocks in Milford,
are erected without regulation as to
heighth, width of conformation to
any law or regulation of any kind.
Here and there is an awning, so low
down that the hats of men walking
under them on the sidewalk, are re-
quired to stoop to enter or leave the
stores. In rainy weather the avn
ings are a real nuisance.
1t is the duty of City Council to
have the ordinances observed in
placing awnings as we'll as other
things, such as tree branches, etc.
1t is the duty of City Council to
prOvgide for maintenance of the
streets and sidewalks not only
sanitary and clear of distractions,
but with regard to symetrical ap-
pearance which creates an attractive
business section, as well as the resi-
Dental parts of the city.
Members of City Council have
much to do in addition to attending
the meetings of City Council. 1t is
not too much to expect that a custom
of a half century shall be scrapped |
and a new form of city government
be established, by men who do not
give time and service to the city.
This is exactly where the City
Manager form of government helps
to create beauty, economy and san
itary cities and towns.
One look at the awnings on Walnut
street in Milford on a hot morning
is astonishing to any man or woman
who has regard for pleasing appear
ances, and proclaims that there is
not any form of business system
observed by the City Council of Mil
ford as now constituted.
1t will not cost one dollar more
to have the awnings erected in con-
formity to a regulation, than it does
now with its ragged and shabby ap-
pearance to those who pass through
the business section of Milford
Why has this policy not been put
into effect? The answer is plain to
find, it is because no City Council
has had the understanding of what
the duty of member of the council
is, and has made no effort to find out.
For this there has been a reason;
lets tell the reason regardless as to
whom are interested. The reason
has always been, Tax dictatorship
and the few petty jobs connected in
the form of police and labor.
Milford for many years was at a
standstill as to progressive business
Even the. Light and
Water Commission was moss-grown I
and out of date, and towards the
last the City Government resolved ;
Itself into lounging club, with the !
Town Council building as the head {
quarters. /
Even that building was in part
'ented out for a few dollars reye- t
lue.
1t is not strange that the people l
If Milford supported a new City l
rbo,tar ca,,rvino with If asta hliSh- r