The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-05-03
WRANGELL TELEPHONE co
 ASKS CITY COUNCIL FOR
 CONTRACT CANCELLATION

AL regular meeting of the City Council last night at City hall, H. | C. McKowan. owner of the Wran- sell Telephone Co.,, asked the coun- cil to cancel his franchise, or re- yise it to allow for rate increase McKowan pointed out the exces- sye and climbing costs of operation of the company over the past years since the franchise was drawn and said he no longer could operate it at the present rates
 Council will study the franchise and come to decison on whether a rate adjustment can be made.
 Councilman Andrew Barlow, of the harbor committee presented report on float and harbor con ditions and submitted his budget for the coming year. Finance com mittee accepted the budget to be taken under consideration when the finance committee meets to make up budgets for all city ex- penses.
 A report was read from the Util- ity Board, which met Tuesday ev- ening, which recommended a $25 pay increase for the first assistant operator at the light plant, but no action was taken by the council pending a meeting later when all city salaries will be considered for revision and adjustment.
 Councilman J. NJ Steear submit ted his resignation due to the fact he would not be in Wrangell Res ignation was accepted and the council appointed Finer OttesOn, next high man in the recent city election, to fill his place for the uneXpired term of one year.
 Light plant manager Ralph De- venny was re-appointed to that position with the only change be- ing that he was appointed for a term of five years instead of one year and was given authority to hire his own help subject to the approval of the council.
 Other appointments were: Street Commissioner, Leth Meadows; Li- brarian, Mrs. John Byrd; Health Officer, Dr. A. T. Nelson; Fire Chief, Vim. D. Grant; Police Chief, James LOvett
 Discussion took place over revis- ion of the City Clerks duties Two applicants, John Seivertsen and c. P. MacCreary had withdrawn their applications leaving only the appli- cations of Miss Margaret Bronson and James Cauley, Wrangell veter- an now working in Juneau, on the list. In revising the Clerks duties it was decided by the council to retain L. B. Chisholm, former Clerk, as city magistrate, city at torney and city assessor, at ten tative salary of $20O per month, cut the clerks salary to 25O. per month In view of the salary cut council thought James Cauley would not be interested, and as 1t was necessary to get a new clerk on the job immediately to leave the assessor free to complete as- easements before June 24 when the equalization board meets, Miss Bronson was appointed to fill the post.
 Council approved a club license for the local Elks, who plan on in stalling a bar in Elks hall. A res olution was also passed to allow pole line to be put in up to the site of the new radiophone station back of the hospital.
 Following committees were ap- pointed by Mayor Mrs. Barnes to serve for the coming year:
 Finance - Olaf Hansen, George Sumption, Lennie Engs m. Streets -Engstrom, Sumption, Lee Ellis. Water and Sewers = Stump tion. Hansen Andrew Barlow. liar bor - Barlow, Ellis, Einar 0tteson Fire - Engstrom, Otteson, Sump- tion Health and Police = Ot- teson, Barlow, Hansen. Property and Equipment Ellis, Sumption, Barlow. Cemetery - Otteson, Eng strom, Hansen. Utility Board - Barnes. Sumption, Hansen.
 Citizens appointed to the Utility Board are L. M. Campbell. Leo Me- l Cormack and F. G. Hanford.
 First named on the above com mittees is the chairman.