Laurel outlook., 1945-04-11
MAYOR, COUNCIL
ISSUE STATEMENT
ON CITY AFFAIRS
Tell OF Progress Made In Past
Two Years Despite War; Out
lines Postwar Projects


The members of the city admin
istration have prepared a statement
concerning the city's financial con-
dition, progress of public works and
expectations for completing pro-
jects that were halted some time
ago by the war. At request the
Laurel Outlook publishes the state
ment as follows::
The mayor and city council feel
at this time, after the municipal
election, the people should be in
formed as to the progress that has
been made in the last two years and
also as to postwar plans.
We wish to thank you for your
support in the last election, although
there was very little opposition. We
are trying to accomplish and main
tain the different departments under
trying difficulties, our main prob
lens being labor and materials. Due
to the fact. that we are short of the
above mentioned, some of the de-
partments in the last few months
have been neglected.
In our water department we have
corrected some of the difficulties
that were more. or less obsolete.
Within the past two months we
have installed a new intake pipe
line at the pump house which will
supply the city with a more ade-
quate supply of water and will be
a safeguard with the assurance of
a proper and adequate capacity due
to the increased industrial demand
for water. Part of the mechanical
construction work was done by the
Boespflug Construction company and
Jul success in completing this work
is due mainly to the cooperation
and willingness of the regular city
maintenance crew to put in long,
hard hours of labor.
The street department within the
last two years was limited practical
ly to maintenance due to the short
age of material and labor.
We have tried to beautify our
parks through the help of civic or
CARNATIONS. To those we extend
our thanks. We do believe our
parks are progressing and in due
time will be beauty spots within
our city.
Our sewer system on the south
side, especially the main trunk line
for the south side, has just been
completed by our city maintenance
crew with the aid of a power shovel
operated by Lohof Brothers and will
be ready when materials and labor
are available.
We believe the city, financially, ,
is in excellent condition in all de- /
partments and our aim is to keep E
the funds built up for these diff
ferent departments for future plan
ming. {
We believe we have an efficient S
fire department and although this
is a volunteer fire department the O
members have taken considerable in t
terest in making it an efficient body.
They have a foamite system for t.
fighting oil fires and the equipment a
has been kept up. il
The city has an extensive post t
war plan outlined. The first item
on this is of course completion of a
the sewage disposal plant. This o
work was stopped because of dis f,
continuance of WPA. The plant is ii
about rs per cent completed. Due W
to a higher priority rating the city a
has received all mechanical units e,
the last six weeks. This b
will also be completed as soon as &C
abor is available. Luz
Flood control: We believe the D.
food control project is one of our 81
argest problems. This will consist d;
# a storm sewer system within the 81
:ity with proper outlets for surplus tie
water. The city has at this time en- pl
arged bitches, culverts and purchas- at
ID right of ways for the purpose. TIL
Filtering plant: We know our OF
is not the best on earth but be
We have the available money prop ca
rly invested in government securi- ca
les for a complete filtering system
or the water. This is of course one IT
f our most essential projects and l.
re feel we have available money
Their than going to the people for
dditional taxes to finance the pro-
ect.
We have general ideas for street he
-ork but a complete storm sewer an
will have to be established lin
ithin the city before these plans to-
an be accomplished. tn
Other postwar projects include a re;
municipal swimming pool and a new
ty hall which we feel everyone ca
ill appreciate. The city council La
as also now made it possible to c..
tax title lots at a reason Ye
Die price. Uni