Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1951-12-14
WHAT is CITY COUNCIL UP To-ARE
THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS
AFRAID TO GO BEFORE MILFORD
CITIZENS WITH THE POWER
QUESTION?
QUESTION?


Milford City Council met in regular ses-
sion on Tuesday evening and adjourned af-
ter hours of the usual council mOnkeyShineS
in the early hours of Wednesday morning
This in itself is nothing unusual-it has be-
come habit in City Hall where, if serious
problems were not under consideration the
childish tactics would be amusing. But, cit
zens of Milford, these gentlemen are now
considering problem which will affect each
and every one of us. This is the Power
Problem. And we should spell it in capital
letters.
Just what Council is up to is not clear
For months past we have heard rumOr af-
ter rumOr of shenanigans which would bear
close scrutiny. The majority apparently
hopes to ignore the citizens in their right to
pass on the plan to be followed in handling
our problem 1t is not Just question Of
whether an Individual faVOrS the purchase
of power from the Delaware Power & Light
Company or whether he, or she, prefers to
mOdernize our plant facilities and manufac-
ture the current themselves. Both of these
questions have long since taken second place
IN the present problem. The one and only
question which must be solved is whether
the members of City Council desire to handle
the matter the legal way, as well as the hon
Orable way. If they do, then they must
place the proposition squarely before Mil
answer. No other method is honorable and
no other method will be tolerated by our
citizens, we believe.
In the early hours on Wednesday morn
ing, and shortly before adjournment of the
meeting, Councilman Nutter offered a mo-
ton which in effect said that "When all the
facts and figures have been compiled on the
costs of manufacturing current locally and,
or, the purchase of current from Utility,
hot no0 G,oA q =.
scented to a Citizens Meeting; following
which meeting the electorate of the City
shall be afforded, through referendum cleo
ton, the right to vote on the problem" This
motion was defeated by majority vote of
Council. The citizens of Milford have a right
to know who the men who do not favor a
full citizens vote on the question are: Here
is the vote: For the motion to submit to a
referendum vote, COuncilmen Nutter, Humes
and West. Against the motion, Councilmen
Haughey, Jewell, Stills, Kirby and Peterman.
There you have it in a nutshell.
It's now time to watch the actions of
Council closely to see that no attempted eva
sion of our City Charter is made. Whether
you favor the manufacture of current or
want it purchased from a Public Utility
company, be on the alert for any quick move
on their part. A taxpayers injunction
against them may be the necessary move to
bring the question properly before Milford
voters. 5..-t. .
$500
WHY NOT AIR OUR POWER PROBLEM?
For months past the citizens of Milford
have been treated to periodic harangues on
our electric current problem. The discus
siOns generally end with name calling and
insinuatiOns about those formerly having
taken part in the local power squabble or of
those currently involved. Name-calling and
dirt throwing just will never get us any
where. The Chronicle believes that the time
has arrived for a frank discussion of both
viewpOints-the advocates of city owned IA
cilities and those faVOring the purchase of
current. Only in this way will Milford citi-
ZenS be able to obtain an honest expression
of those on both sides of the controversy
In order to bring this to head we offer
the columns of the Chronicle for frank dis
cussiOn of the entire problem. We suggest
that those favOring each side find some cap
able writer to present their views. Our only
stipulation is that both sides must stick
strictly to facts and not propaganda. No
name calling or personalities will be allowed
to enter either side of the presentation. The
articles each issue shall be limited to one
full column from each side. In, other words
we will give two columns of space each issue
for the next several issues of the Chronicle
to be placed side by side, and to present facts
only. No names of corporations or persons
shall be carried by either SIDE
There, citizens of Milford, is an offer to
both sides to give to you facts, and facts
only. Will the proponents Of each side Of