The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-03-04
10 Percent
LiquorTax
Set By City
Proceeds Will Be
Used To Fin0nce
City Recreation

A 10 per cent tax on liquor
sales in Pascagoula was levied
by the mayor and board of coun-
cilmen in an ordinance adopted
at the regular weekly meeting
Tuesday morning at city hall.
At the same time the city gov
eminent also took the following
actions:
An inspection and service
charge of 80 cents monthly was
levied on each water consumer
served by the city, and the city
signified its intention of issuing
$115,000 in bonds for the follow
ing purposes:
A total of 100000 in revenue
bonds for extensions to the wa
ter distribution system; $4,000
in revenue bonds for extension
of the gas distribution system;
$4,000 in general obligation
bonds for purchase of a new fire
engine and construction of a fire
station in North Pascagoula to
serve that area; 100000 in gen.
eral obligation bonds for con-
struction of a proposed swimming
pool, and repairs to existing
equipment and facilities at the
Market street recreation center.
For Recreation Program
Revenues from the 10 per cent
''black market tax on liquor will
be used to finance a proposed
city recreation program, Mayor
Frank S. Canty said. In levying
the tax Pascagoula follows the
example of the state government,
which also collects a 10 per cent
tax on Iiquor-apd Natchez and
Vicksburg, where similar taxes
prevail.
1t is estimated that the levy
will yield between $500 and $1,000
monthly in revenues.
The levy on water consumers
will add 80 cents monthly to
each individual bill, or a total of
$3.50 annually. Water consumers
will have an alternative as the
ordinance levying the tax pro-
vides that "any consumer desir-
ing to avoid payment of such in
spection and service charge may
purchase and install, at his own
expense, a meter, approved by the
superintendent of public works,
and be billed for water at uni
form meter rates"
Both levies will become effec-
tive April LIST. Both ordinances
setting the levies are carried in
the legal publications columns of
this issue of the Chronicle Star
and Advertiser.
Mayor Canty said that plans
call for the purchase of a new and
modern fire engine, complete
with hose and equipment. A
frame fire house will be con-
structed in North Pascagoula and
an engine stationed there perm
anently, in addition to those to
be stationed at the Delmas ave-
nue. and Market street stations.
This will give the whole city ade-
quate protection, Mayor Canty
said, and eliminate the dangers
of a possible fire being isolated
from the fire department by
blocked railroad crossings.
The city has never fully util-
lied the Market recreation CEN
ter in the establishment of a
rounded recreation program, May
or Canty said. A swimming pool
can be constructed at minimum
he added, because dressing
room and shower facilities are
in the recreation build
and would not have to be con-
in connection with the
pool. Plans also call for repairs
to existing playground equipment,
putting of tennis courts in con-
for play and repairs to
softball and baseball diamonds
at the center.
The city does not have reve-
to support such a program,
ne said, and believes that it can
financed through the tax on
liquor sales.
Revenues from the two levies
will be paid into a separate fund
to be administered by the city
and will be open for in
spection as to receipts and dis
.ursements at all times, he added.
Necessary repairs have already
been completed at the Negro rec
-eation center, Mayor CAVITY said.
and plans call for a rounded pro-
gram there as well as at the Mar
xet street center.