The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-08-02
Can't Go Forward By
Standing Still

Complaint OIL LAX TdLeS. NO IdCSIl1dhlIlS UOOy
can satisfy erybody. The fundamental re-
quirement is that the rate shall not be greater
than the taxpayers can meet and that the
revenue thus created is needed for reasonable
and helpful developments with sufficient left
over from good years to establish a reserve
for leaner times.
On this score and in view of the fact that
Wilmington has Jagged in advantageous in
vestment in facilities for the healthful and
recreational betterment of its population, it
appears the tax rate and the budget of ST..
900 proposed by the City Council are res-
Board is not justified in filing complaint
against them. Wilmington is richer in ready
cash than usual. Its taxpayers can well at
ford to meet the proposed budget Further
more, the greater budget offers one means OF
combating imitation
In addition, the capital which would become
available for municipal investment in inn
provements too long delayed would tend to
put the city in the progressive group which
by reason of their larger public revenues,
have kept abreast of the times instead OF
dropping behind as Wilmington has done for
so many years. ,-~~<.'s..5.. -. 80
Norfolk offers a fair example OF city pre-
pairing to take full advantage Of its oppor-
tunities for improvement. Dr. w. c. Batch
elor of Ohio State University's School of So
cial Administration, has just submitted re-
port to Norfolk's Recreational Administration
proposing an outlay of 100000 year for a
twenty-one year development program Of rec
reational facilities. The Bachelor report fol-
lows an exhaustive survey of the present sit
uation and needed betterments. 1t recon-
mends repairs to play equipment at forty
seven locations. 1t calls for construction of
sixteen buildings. It would have forty acres
purchased to enlarge twenty-three areas, and
another forty-eight acres for nineteen new
sites for Fairgrounds, athletic centers and
small neighborhood parks It recommends full
development of three beach properties and of
operation of the auditorium and two
other USO centers when the USO ceases to
operate them, development Of Negro rec
reation CENTER construction of nine-hole golf
course, and outdoor theaters in two existing
parks.
Another Norfolk survey of social service
work in the family and child welfare field
has been completed by Robert F. Nelson, gen.
eral secretary of the Family Service Associa-
ton of Indianapolis. 1t recommends many
changes in Norfolk's present set-up which cam
not be carried out without expenditures. In
cluded is a Juvenile Detention home.
These surveys and expansion Of the rec
reational and welfare program are cited be-
cause the Real Estate Board, through its
committee chairman, Frederick Willetts, COM
planned at City Council conference particu-
larly of the money spent for the planning
survey conducted in Wilmington by George
W. Simons. Jr., of Jacksonville, Florida, and
the money expended last year and the ex'
penditures proposed for the new fiscal year
for recreation, as well as the planning board
general program.
Wilmington cannot go forward by standing
still nor can it move ahead without spending
money.