Imperial Valley press., 1940-04-10
RECOGNITION FOR
UnSELFISH SERVICE

Today El Centre says Hail TO three
new CITY councilmen. a new clerk and a
new treasurer, and Farewell. to three
retiring councilmen, the retiring clerk ana
the retiring treasurer.
While casting into the future that lies
before the new city officials, FL CentranS
should not forget the service given un-
selfishly by those now voluntarily retlf-
ing. Their job has been thankless one
thus far. 1t is time the city recognized
the worthwhile things they have done.
1t is easy to find fault with anyone in
public office Too seldom are the public
servants commended for what they have
DONE There has been criticism of El Cen
tros city councll-partly justified, part
ly the product of politics and unfounded
rumor. The time has come now when past
criticism should be forgotten. when the
accomplishments that are too often over
looked should be evaluated at their true
worth.
1t is hard to get good men to run for
public office, largely because the things
they accomplish while in office are mini
mized, the mistakes-and every human
being makes miStakes-are magnified.
Events beyond the control of such officers
are often the cause of censure to which
they should not be subjected, yet which
is aimed at them by the public. A job
on the city council is hard work, plus
vituperation whenever the public doesn't
agree with some specific action.
So let's recognize that there IS credit
side in favor of Ell Centros outgoing
public officials The things they have
helped do form long list Some items
on that list are:
l. Substantial reduction of the city's
bonded debt, at the same time that $780,,
600 worth of capital improvements were
being made without amy new bond issues.
2. Inauguration of a longrange street
and sewer Improvement program that
already has given the city miles of new
paved streets, new sewer mains and I'M
proved facilities
g. Purchase and installation of mod
ern bookkeeping equipment for the city
hall to prevent Il recurrence of theft from
any department.
a. Inauguration of a widespread park
and recreation program at the cost of a
great deal of individual time and effort,
not strictly required of them, by the Of
ficals concerned.
5. Uutiring efforts TO equalize assess
ments on fair basis and keep the city
tax rate at d low level in spite of improv
ed service in most branches of city gov
ernment
kept the city ranked among the top three
municipalities of the state in credit rat
ing.
There are other items, equally import
ant, that could be added to this list, but
space prevents their enumeration.
We may not have agreed at all times
with policies and methods employed by
the city council. we may have disagreed
heartily at times. but we say to Charles
E. Blalack, Harry Sones and Gordon
Scriven, the retiring councilmen, as we'll
as to retiring Clerk Roy Johnstone and
retiring Treasurer Harmon Tyler:
Thanks on behalf Of the city of FL
Centro for all the worthwhile things you
have done-and may success attend you
in your further private enterprises.
NO FIGHT OF OURS
American sympathy goes out to Den
mark and Norway, latest victims of ruth
less aggression. But American sympathy
is not what it was in 1914. Well sympa-
thize-but we won't fight. 1t isn't our
war We want no part of it.
America can be of most service to the
world right now by being ready when
f-x-o