The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-10-02

or in politics of any kind until the
Hayes administration increased the
assessment of the Blake g. johnson
Co.?
Lets look at the setup under
the city manager charter. There
will be only. one assessor in
stead of five as at present. He
will be appointed by the city man
ager. We now have a board OF re-
lief to review unjust assessments
made by the assessors. The board
of relief Is elected now. How is 1t
elected under the city manager
charter? It isn't elected. The board
of finance itself, which Is appointed
by the city manager, is the board
OF relief
"Your property is now assessed
at about 80 per cent Of its true
value, we viii say. The city man.
ager will want to make q showing
by pretending to reduce the tax
rate. The one, sole assessor, APP
pointed by him, will naturally do
what he says, and may boost your
assessment to 100 per cent or high
er, so that the tax rate can be
brought down.
what relief have you? You would
go to the board of relief at pres
emit, but under the city manager
charter the board of finance is the
board of relief. Who is on the board
OF finance? You know. The rep-
resentatives of the great industrial
concerns of the city. What chance
| do you think you would have asking
them to reduce your assessment?
The result would be that though YOU
might pay lower tax rate you
would be paying more dollars be-
cause of your higher assessment.
ION the other hand, how do you
think the factories would fare If
they protested against their assess
ment. The board of finance is the
board of relief and the board OF
finance is composed of representa-
tives of all the big industries of the
city.
"You can see now what / meant
when asked why Mr., White had
not answered my question about his
not being interested in the city man
ager plan until the city raised the
assessment of Blake g. johnson,
"You don't think for minute, do
you, that the assessor would leopard
ize his Job by raising the assess
ments Of the manufacturers. Re-
member he is appointed by the city
manager, and the board OF re-
lief that will review any complaints
against his assessments is the board
of finance which consists OF the rep-
resentatives of the leading manufac-
turers of the city.
Remember; you taxpayers will
have to pay the salary of the city
manager, probably from SOS .00C TO
$4,000 year. This could be
the most corrupt city in the country
If four of the seven council members
decided to appoint certain individ-
ual as city manager, who would have
to play ball with those four. Those
fouf might be representatives Of the
manufacturers, or might be repre-
sentatives Of the most corrupt groups
in the city. The city manager would
think twice before he would forfeit
his $25 900 job by crossing Them
MIR. Neily's Comment
Mr.. Nelly said:
Waterbury Is coming into the
final day OF campaign which has
been waged to familiarize the pub
lie mind with the provisions Of u
charter which has never in the his
tory of the country failed to give
city a lowered tax rate, more eff
cient government and an increase In
worth while public service.
"As Tuesday, the date OF a city
wide referendum draws near, we
appeal to a citizens to go to the
polls and add the weight of their
votes to the side of economical, pro-
gressive government.
Waterbury has before 1t the oppor-
tunity, which probably would never
come again, of adopting a charter
under which public office would be
held strictly on the merits OF the
individual, where political jockeying
and pay-offs will have no place.
This charter has been drafted with
the best parts Of some 450 city man
ager charters incorporated into Its
provisions. Waterbury is benefiting
by years Of experience Of other cities
which cast of the yoke of political
combinations and double machines
and btained better service for less
money.
"Only by adoption of this char
ter, city manager with p r., can
our beloved city assure itself that
what has happened in the past can
not happen again. We feel that the
charter we are supporting will rally
to the service Of the municipality the
finest minds, the most outstanding
men Of the community can present.
1T Is our feeling that by this time
all the voters are familiar with the
basic provisions. We have pointed
pose, every city which ever adopted
out that under the charter we pro-
1t has benefited immeasurably. We
feel that Waterbury is tired OF high
taxes, and tired of the Vaccinations
OF political combinations which in
the past have not had the best in
terests of the city at heart.
This association has no dispute
with any political party. It's member
ship Is made up Of Republicans,
Democrats and Socialists. We de-
plore actions OF some of the past
leadership of these parties, and
strive for non-political adminis-
tration hich will be tied to neither
the Democratic, Republican nor So
cialist party leaderships.
I'VE have no confidence, after wit
Messing vicious double machine
manifestations, that either OF three
major parties can give the city the
sound administration that II deserves
and for which 1t clamors.
The time for personal squabbles
ard arguments In this campaign
has ceased. We believe the collec-
tive mind Of Waterbury is made up.
10 Is Olir desire that all We ar.,,ru