The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-02-10
Just A FEW CHARTER
PROVISIONS
A Few Arguments Why We Believe the Proposed City
Charter Should be Adopted.

for. Hence the preliminaries were made pay
able by the general fund
The matter of giving the city council full
authority to open up streets and improve the
same to contend with just such conditions as
have confronted them during the past year in
caring for unemployment, was the issue before
the charter board and the chapter relating
thereto was the result. In conference with
members of the city council, there was un-
animous opinion expressed by them that this
section would meet the requirements and allow
them to allot work and in return receive per-
manent improvements for the money expended.
Many instances came to light in the dis
cussions on this subject. Many streets, avenues
and alleys in the eastern, western and southern
sections of the city were found to be in need
of Improvement. This was particularly notice
able in the southern section where three unim-
proved streets have been built up with hand
some and high priced homes adding greatly to
the taxable value of the city while the streets,
avenues and alleys in the section are in most
disreputable state and at some seasons of the
year almost impossible. The council was
powerless under the charter to do work on these
unless charged to abutting property. We cite
the southern section of the city as these con-
ditions stand out very prominently in that Sec
similarly situated.
Chapters TX and of the new charter are
worthy of close study and consideration. The
creation of water and light board is in line
with modern methods adopted by we'll regulated
cities everywhere and recommended by all
authorities on city building and maintenance
Examples of the efficiency of such depart
ment come from everywhere such boards are
functonng If proof is wanted as to the
success of such a board, Virginia, our close
neighbor to the south, can be cited. The board
in that city had accumulated surplus of a half
million so and for the past two years has
been returning the surplus to its citizens in the
shape of muchly reduced rates for light, water,
power and heat. These statements can be SUBJ
stantiated by addressing the water and light
board at Virginia The claim is made by those
who should be in position to know that this
department in Ely should be furnishing a
revenue of about $4,000 year to the city
instead of a deficit Some truth to such an
assertion must be credited as the Minnesota
Power & Light Company is said to have made
the city an offer to purchase the department
after making survey. Such concerns don't
usually desire properties which might become
or are, a liability.
Chapter deals with the formation of a
police board. Some have construed this as
being inimical to the city and its elected officials
board of this nature also has proven sue
cessful wherever established and has removed
from the shoulders of muchy harrassed mayors
and councilmen the appointment of police Off
GERS, besides furnishing appointed officers with
some security in their positions Every election
of new mayor furnishes shake-up in the de-
partment and flood of aspirants for appoint
ment. The newly elected mayor has his hands
full sorting out suitable force from the list of
Recommendations made by friends, groups,
nationalities and societies.
The Miner is of the opinion that such a
board would be welcomed by newly elected
mayors and councilmen whose approval is
necessary for appointment considerable
source of much trouble would be saved them by
board with system of classifying suitable
police material and records to guide them in
making appointments. John A. Harri, the
present mayor, would name the first board of
three men who would be selected by him to
hold Office for two, four and six years, respec-
lively. Having been a resident of Ely almost
all his life, Mayor Harri would be able to select
board which would prove satisfactory. He is
keen judge of human nature and ability and
has demonstrated this trait on many occasions.
DON'T cake our WORD TOT Wnat we tnlnk OF
the new charter. Think for yourself. We
have only called attention to the several Sec
tons because we have heard comments on these
sections. We believe all these are good and
as near what is needed as is possible to make
them. However, practical application may find
flaws in some of the provisions. Changes can
be made if necessary but fundamental docu-
ment must be established. The columns of the
Miner are open for anyone desiring to express
their view on the subject and the editor solicits
such contributions