Milford chronicle., 1960-01-15
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An Open Letter TO
All Milford Citizens

The present Milford Administra-
tion has shown how business
like City government can change
bankrupt city into city with a
surplus, lower taxes and unex-
pected municipal. improvements.
When Mayor William R. MUIR
ply took office in Milford the city
was in a sorry plight indeed. The
city was barely meeting its bills,
a large bond issue was planned
and an increase in taxes was con-
sidered a must. There had been
no street paving, sewers, or light
ing to amount to anything for a
long time.
Although parking meters had
been installed many years ago TO
create fund for public rest rooms
there was no money in the fund
and the public rest rooms were as
far in the future as ever. In an
effort to secure a much needed
new City Hall various trust funds
were tapped to make an initial pay
ment on a fifty year old office
building badly in need of repairs.
The city Jail was disgrace to the
city and the police were occupy
ing rented quarters.
The till was empty and nothing
to show for the money spent. There
was no evidence of dishonesty; just
incompetence or rather the in
ability to secure dollars value
for the taxpayers dollar.
AS a quick example of the diff
erence in the two administrations
the wages of the city employees
have been raised several times
under Mayor Murphy's administra-
ton, yet the city's payroll today
is 100000 less than it was when
he took over.
In the four short years of the
Murphy administration or really
only three years because the first
year was spent in housecleaning
and changing of city managers. So
really in the last three years of
the Murphy administration and
under the capable management of
Mr.. Roy Pettyjohn, the new city
manager appointed by the, Muir
ply administration, the city has
changed from a city desperately
Juggling funds to present balanc-
ed budget, to one with $175,000.00
in the bank as shown by the au-
ditor's report.
The most amazing factor is the
fact that this financial miracle has
been accomplished. at the same
time that taxes have been reduc-
ed, city services have been in
creased and more permanent i'm
provements have been made than
were made in the past Is years.
Streets have been paved until
there is scarcely street in Mill
ford that does not have an asphalt
surface, many have been given
temperament surface of So
called ''hot Mix. Sewers have been
added. An entire section of the
city around the new Lulu NJ. Ross
School was graded, paved and
sewers laid A new modern De-
partment of Public Safety building
has been erected at a cost of over
$40, 10000; and paid for. Most OF
the main streets have been brilli-
antly lighted with modern mer-
curry lamps. And best of all there
is nearing completion new
5000 100000 City Hall, at no cost
to the city. This is the gift of q
public spirited Milford citizen
whose attention was called to Mil
ford's need for such a building by
Mayor Murphy.
Of course everyone is not happy
with the Murphy administration
Mayor Murphy has had strict
policy against using public funds
to help real estate developers ane
other private enterprises. Some
say that this is the secret of his
success as much as the efficiency
of the Pettyjohn management.
1t remains to be seen whether
the citizens of Milford will vote
to continue the present type OF
government by supporting the
candidates who are pledged to con-
tinue the Murphy policies or will
you allow the old faction to again
gain control of the purse strings
of the city. But regardless of whe-
ther or not the people appreciate
what Mayor Murphy has done for
them he has shown what a dedi-
Gated, capable government can do
If you want this kind of govern
ment, come out and vote.
Vote for: Roy E. Pettyjohn, for
mayor; ]. Brainard Poore, Jr., for
Councilman
Committee for Continuance OF
Good Government.