The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-23
COLONEL BRINTON
ADDRESSES ROTES
HERE YESTERDAY
GIVES COMPREHENSIVE OUT
LINE OF PROVISIONS IN
CONNECTION WITH REvI-
SION OF CHARTER

1t is one of the basic principles
of International Rotary that a
Rotary Club, as an organization,
should not take an active part in
any controversial issue.
However, Rotary Clubs are en-
couraged to discuss such issues in
their meetings for the enlighten-
ment of their members who
are expected, as individuals, to
become actively interested in all
public affairs.
With this object in mind, the
Key West Rotary Club invited
Col. l.. C. Brinton to be its guest
speaker at its luncheon meeting
this Thursday upon the subject
of the proposed new city charter.
Vice-president Charles Taylor,
who presided in the absence of
president Ernest A. Ramsey, in
troduced Col. Brinton as a pub
lic-spirited citizen of Key West,
who had devoted large portion
of his time and energies for the
past four months, as a member of
the Charter Committee, in the
service of this community.
Col. Brinton then clearly and
concisely set forth the main fea-
lures of the new charter, with
especial emphasis upon those sec
tions which embodied the most
radical changes from the old
charter.
There was considerable interest
shown by those present in his re-
marks, at the conclusion of which
he answered number of ques-
tons regarding the administra-
ton of some of the new charter
features.
VIM Curry Harris brought up
the question of entertainment OF
| the officers of the Coast Artillery
Corps, Florida National Guard,
during their encampment at Fort
Taylor, next month. 1t was de-
cided that the club would have
them as guests at luncheon
Thursday, July Is. This has
been an annual custom of the
club for some years and is always
a most enjoyable occasion.
/ Guests present at the meeting
were Col. Brinton, Reuben j.
Lasster and Rev. G. w. Hutchin-
son, all of Key West.
| Col. Brinton treated the subject
iof the new charter from 16-
point rseume, including explana-
ton of such subjects as:
The mayor and councilmen are
subject to recall.
Abolition of the Board of Pub
lie Works, the duties to be assum-
ed by a department of the city
council with one man in charge.
Setting up the main depart
sments of city government-Pub-
lie Works, Safety. Health and
Sanitation, Welfare, Finance,
Taxation and Records.
Creation of a Civil Service
Board.
All officials except mayor and
councilmen to be appointed from
the Civil Service roster. Present
employees to be automatically re-
tanned with service rating.
Increase maximum tax allow
I able for public works by 4-l0 of
lone percent.
All monies to be paid to treas
urer, who assumes office of tax
collector. Present assessor
llector becomes assessor only.
Municipal judge and city at
ltorney to be licensed by State
Board.
Abolishes office of supervisor
lof registration, duties to be as
summed by city clerk. Makes
councilmen election commission
sers.
Publishes ordinances only by
title.
councilmen paid $3.50 annual
".
/ Reduction of city's ability to
borrow to but so percent on tax
, anticipation warrants.
Provision made for quarterly
j payment of taxes.
/ Sale of property for taxes in
accordance with State Law,
wherein tax deeds are placed on
equal footing with other deeds.
All election details to be pre-
Iscribed by new council. eliminat-
I; ing poll tax.
| Validates the zoning enabling
acf already pasSed