The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-11-02
Democrats Promises Faithfully Fulfilled
City Treasurer Serge BeIonser Repudiotes COP. Speakers Statements

SllC ANSOtbJAA1tAll that the Democratic administration has been "a-do-nothing admins tration," Serge Belanger, city treasurer, declared last night that the promises made by Mayor John S. Monagan in his inaugural address on Jan. 1, 1944, have been fulfilled.
 The city treasurer, who is seeking reelection on Nov. 6, maintained that Republican claim is not a sub stantial one because the city ad- ministration has had definite pro- gram.
 Tt may be that this administra- tion can be criticized for it's judg- ment in individual cases, but cer- tainly. it is ridiculous to contend that it has not been an active ad- ministration," MT. Belanger de- clared.
 Mir. Belanger's speech is as fol- lows:
 Early in this campaign one of the lesser Republican lights stated that the Democratic office holders were a do-nothing administration. This emplty phrase has been repeated with the recklessness and disregard for fact which has characterized the Republican campaign. This charge has no backing in fact. Mayor Monagan has had definite program which he announced and then pro- ceeded to follow out.
 It may be that his administration can be criticized for its judgment in individual cases but, certainly, 1t is ridiculous to contend that it has not been an active administration. I should like, by reference to Mayor Monagan's Inaugural address on January l, 1944, to follow the statements that he made then and show the manner in which his promises and plans have been full filled.
 Tn that speech Mayor Monagan said, q shall recommend to the Revaluation committee of the Board of Finance that it begin at once to make provision for an im- mediate revaluation of the prop erty of the city . shall request the General Assembly to alter our City Charter so that the makeup of the Assessors Office will con- form more closely to accepted prac- tice.'
 Committee Named
 On January 20th, 1944, a Re- valuation committee was named which later recommended the hir- ing of a professional appraisal firm. On May 18th, 1914 the contract for the Revaluation committee was signed and work was started. That work has progressed and the com- pany doing the job has said that it would be finished in time for the 1945 grand list.
 On February 1st, 1945 an Asses sor's bill was introduced in the General Assembly. This bill con- tained definite qualifications for the Assessor and tenure as well. On May 18th, 1945 the bill passed the General. Assembly and on July l7th, 1945 Mayor Monagan appointed to this important post Aldro Jenks ot the State Tax Commissioners of- flee, a nationally known expert on municipal assessment.
 
 shall recommend to the Police and Fire Boards that their rules be amended to include a regular method of insuring consistently high physical and mental qualifica- tions among the members Of their departments"
 On January 18th, 1914, the Fire Board voted to lower the age of firemen and on February 3rd, that Board voted to increase the physi- cal and mental qualifications for appointment to that department: On February 3rd the Police Board set up qualifications for a police woman and on January 9th, l945 the same Board adopted extensive improvements in its rules for the selection, promotion and training Of Police officers.
 School Psychologist
 Another plan of Mayor Mona pan's. expressed in that same speech, was the attack on juvenile deliouency through the appoint ment of psychologist in the School department, the addition of an As sistant Attendance Officer and the naming of a policewoman.
 The psychologist was appointed by the Board of Education on July 8, l944. The policewoman was ap- pointed by the Police Board on March l7th, 1914 and the Assistant Attendance Officer was added to the School Department on January 5th, 1924.
 Mayor Monagan also made the following statement about Housing in the speech to which I have re- ferred. T believe that the Housing