Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-05-19
emit

commissioner, l desire to continue in
service in the Fourth commissioner
district to represent your interests on
the county board for another term.
AS we are going through period
of very depressing times, ! believe
drastic economy must be applied to
every branch of government-the
county as we'll as other units of gov
eminent.
l have experienced in the past that
by going carefully, paying as we go
and remaining generally on cash
| basis, is the best solution for reducing
our taxes. When l took office at the
beginning of 1929 the county's road
and bridge fund was overdrawn SILL
425.50, on which we paid interest at
SO. When the June taxes were col
lected the outstanding orders were
called in by the county treasurer and
paid Outstanding orders must be paid
in rotation), almost depicting the
fund. Road work progressed, new
warrants were issued and not paid
for lack of funds, then again the
warrants were registered and drew
the same interest, thus forcing us to
pay interest on approximately 100000
worth of warrants issued annually
practically all the warrants issued
against that fund. 1t was my am
bitiOn and desire to bring this fund
on a cash basis and it took three
years to do so. At the close of 1880,
we still had a deficit of $3,61O.98 and
at the end of 1881 we had a credit of
S3,7S2.O3 and $1O,S55.0S due us from
the state aid road tax which we re-
ceived in January or February of this
year, thus placing this fund $14 ,637.11
first time since took office. The gas
tax fund is separate fund that is
also on cash basis. AS a result of our
careful going in the past and cutting
out all unnecessary appropriations
last July, when we levied money for
our county budget, we were able to
make reduction of $4,000 in our
levies. The cut was made mostly in
the road and bridge fund, thus max
ing saving of that amount in your
taxes payable in 1882. Last winter
the poor fund was becoming top heavy
and got overbalanced so we trans
ferred $4,000 from the road and
bridge fund to the poor fund, thus
saving an extra levy and getting away
from paying interest on outstanding
warrants. We will have $4,000 less
to spend on roads this year on ac-
paid off $4,000 bond, which was
issued in 1919 and became due in
1880. All our county bond issues
are taken care of by sinking fund
which is being levied each year and
is part of your regular county tax un-
til the bonds are paid and taken up.
On account of our delinquent taxes,
at the maturity of these bonds, we
will fall short several thousand dol
lars and that deficit must be made
up by borrowing the shortage needed.
In the last bond paid, which was
$4,000, we fell short $4,000 in the
sinking fund.
We are further accommodating a sink
ing fund to meet bond issue due in
1914. On April 81 this year we had
a balance in that fund of $13,24S.52,
so that bond will be paid automatical-
ly when due, less the delinquent
taxes.
The mileage paid to county officials
is set by law, so we have nothing to
do with that. And as to mothers pen
sions the amounts paid to each mother
is granted by the judge of probate
and paid out of the poor fund.
The salaries of most county officials
is set by law, and the few that we
have anything to do with are paid less
than in other counties of the state
the size of Pine, also work taken into
consideration. Be a board ever so
eager to serve the public it must be
remembered and borne in mind that
the county board as we'll as any town
ship supervisors, village council or
school board, has it's limitations and
problems. The county board in it's
deliberations should always be guided
by what serves the county and it's
people the best in the long run.
My past record is an open book, in
business as well as on the county
board. l always was opposed to bond
issues and l still am. | also voted
against every unnecessary appropri-
alton that ever came before the coun-
ty board, regardless of petitions and
strong delegations. l have tried to
be fair to all my constituents. In
distributing the road work l have
tried to distribute it in every part of
my district. l also received every
dollar that my district was entitled
to for road work. l work conscien-
tiOusly and to the best of my ability
for the best interest of my constitu-
ents, and if my past work and rep
resentatiOn meets with your approval
l will sincerely appreciate your vote
and support in the coming election,
for which l am thanking you in ad-
vance.
E.,1l