The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-16
MASS MEETING VOTES AGAINST
Annexation OF FOUR TOWNS
Citizens of the Fourth Express
selves Opposed to the Measure Annex Pike Waasa
Embarrass and Argo

o1oAASA A1oeA NJ 04Ct dt Lie COMMUNITY
Center in this city Tuesday evening to
hear the pros and cons of the move
ment to add the townships of En-
barrass. Waasa and Argo to this dis
trict.
The residents of the four towns had
petitioned the Board of County Com
m1Ssioners to annex the towns to the
Fourth District and remove them from
the Sixth District in which they are
located. The petition stated that IL was
thought that better administration of
the road and bridge needs of the towns
could be secured from the commissioner
OF this district than from the commits
sioner Of the Sixth District.
The meeting had been called by the
Ely Commercial Club to talk over the
matter. A previous meeting of the club
had gone on record opposing the move
and committee had been named TO
investigate. No report of the committee
was on file at Tuesdays meeting al
though several letters had been re-
ceived from residents of Embarrass
justifying their position in the request
for annexation.
One of the writer's of the letters was
present at Tuesdays meeting and
answered questions and stated that the
Sixth district commissioner had not
been giving them fair recognition IN
the matter of road work and road up-
keep. 1t developed during the question
ing that these townships had been re-
ceiving about $4,000 more in returns
over what they were paying in taxes
yearly. Mr.. MatSon, one OF the speak
ers, said that snow blowing was
neglected and he thought that the
Fourth district would be in better shape
to keep the roads clear of snow and
that the farmers could more easily
come to Ely than go to Virginia.
Speakers from Tower, Cook, Angora
and Ely thought that the liabilities
going with the annexation would IN a
great measure exceed the assets. Two
Ely business men also were Of the
opinion that the move should not be
opposed as the coming to Ely by the
residents would help business for the
local tradesmen. Ray Mattson, Claude
Winchel of Tower; John Trygg of
Cook, and Nick Nelson of Angora spoke
against the move as did also Alderman
koschak of Ely and several others.
President E. w. Hanson Of the Ely
Commercial Club presided at the meet
ing and Ray Hoefler as secretary. The
secretary stated that the County Com
missioners had called hearing ON the
proposition for December goth. Presi-
dent Hanson stated that representatives
from all the towns. affected would be
heard at this meeting. The discussion
waxed warm in spots and the subject
was thoroughly threshed out.
After a debate of an hour or more
it was moved that vote for and against
the annexation be taken. A rising vote
was called for and the vote against was
almost unanimous. A delegation will be
named to appear before the commits
sioners ON the date for the hearing and
protest the annexation. The delegation
will be named later by President Han
son in time to attend the hearing.
In the meantime more information
and figures viii be gathered to be
presented to the commissioners. The
sentiment in the Fourth district, tudg-
ing by the meeting on Tuesday, Is not
favorable to taking in the four town.
ships. 1t is also understood that the
Sixth district is not excited over losing
the towns from their district. Virginia.
t,ea; r,fo sc -,
Of lethargy over the matter, so we are
informed, and does not care a whit
either way.
It Is purely matter for the county
commissioners to decide. They Will de-
eide the matter on the merits of the
petition for the opposition developed
against it.
Since the above was placed in type
1t has been said that the hearings
have been set for January 10th instead
of December 10Th No official notifica-
ton has been received although tele-
phone messages to this effect are said
to have been received by interested
parties in this city. The protest COM
mittee will be ready to attend the hear
ing at either date. 1t has also been
rumored that the township of Sandy
is included in the territory TO be an
nexed and that an error was made In
copying the original petition and this
town omitted This covers the entire
row Of townships south Of the Fourth
District sought to be annexed.
As the vote was against annexation,
the townships mentioned is included In
the almost unanimous vote against an
nexation