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Show i . ampaJgnln City Election Underway tice is the best proof that this pledge has been kept. The levy remains the same as it was when tho undersigned took office two years ago. Second it was promised that play grounds and play .ground equipment equip-ment should be provided so far as possible. Your attention is called to the expenditures which the City has made and is making toward die renovation, repair, and alteration altera-tion and improvement of the old Opera House as a r.-creatlon center cen-ter A bigger improvement will be soon noted in that structure as the plans and finances have been arranged, ar-ranged, for in cooperation with the church and civic organizations. Other items are the improvement of the ball park and development and maintenance of the ire pond in cooperation with the Preston Junior Chamber of Commerce. Third continued street improvements improve-ments were promised. A street on Second Fast has been opened, graded grad-ed and graveled past the Franklin Slake House to the main highway high-way also on Second West and Sec omi 'South to the Sixth ward meeting meet-ing house. The right of way running run-ning north and east from Preston was purchased and fenced. Approximately Ap-proximately five and one half miles of streets have been surfaced with ! gravel. Fourth, Constructive WPA proj ects. Attention is called to tho sewer plant, the 11.718, linear feet of sidewalks more than 2 miles; 13,945 feet of curb and gutter, ap-j proximately two and one-half miles; 9,992 feet of sewer pipe laid and 12,948 reet of water pipe laid, with other minor projects. Fifth, greater parking areas were desired. In cooperation, with the 'County commissioners there is a parking area nearing completion running from the county court house to First South street, and arrangements are being made for improvement of other areas as will be noted from the signs now posted. post-ed. Sixth, support of (he Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations. organi-zations. This has been done. The City sponsored an Independence Day celebration with program and activities of interest to the children chil-dren of Preston. In connection with the foregoing, it is proper to say that if the present pres-ent program is continued we shall soon have in Preston an entirely new system of water mains anil the continual leaking should be larcely if not entirely stopped. Another An-other tiling the voters should know is that the fire engine has In-en rebuilt re-built and the fire truck is now efficient ef-ficient and capable of taking care of the fire proti-clion of the city. (Continued on page &) Editor's Note: Following is the first article on the approaching city election. Other articles are welcomed wel-comed from either side, providing they are not defamatory in nature. The publishers may or may not agree with the views expressed in these articles. Another City election approaches. Many voters of Preston have been kind enough to indicate (hat they desire that the present city elective elec-tive officials continue in office for .another term. And the officials 1 believe they should be given an op-Iportunity op-Iportunity to complete the program "on which they have been working. .-The undersigned, therefore, an-' an-' nounce to the electors of the City of Preston their decision to he .candidates for re-election. And it 'is fitting, that an accounting be made to the voters' in order (hat they may be advised of the present condition of the City and how its affairs have been conducted during dur-ing this past two years. I Two years ago a platform was announced and the pledge was made that 'certain things would be done. Briefly this platform is here set forth with a statement of performance per-formance as follows: l First, the pledge was made that 'we will not attempt any additional addition-al expenditures other than current ' taxes will pay for.- Tour tax no- City Election (Continued from page 1) It looked for a time as if a new fire truck would be necessary, but through the rebuilding of the old one, thousands of dollars haze been saved to the taxpayers. The City has cooperated with tho school authorities in providing for the nursery school which has been of considerable help to a number num-ber of families. Two :years ago the biggest problem prob-lem facing the City was the matter mat-ter of providing for the disposal of sewage. The old treating plant had completely broken down and j the City had to do something about it whether the money was avail- , able or not. No new bonds could be issued as the City had pnsod the bond limit. The new system 1 and plant must be built out of current cur-rent taxes. This simply, meant Unit the City must go forward in this and in other improvements on pay as you go plan. And this is what the City has done during1 the past two years and this is the plan which must be followed for sometime some-time to come. With the cooperation of the WPA the present point has I been reached, and if authorized by a vote of the people at the coming , election to proceed, the adminis- ' tration will continue the building ' of the sewage plant to completion. ' Likewise other improvements will be made. For instance, it is m-' m-' tended to begin the use of crush- ed gravel on the streets. It has ! been determined that the use ot ! round gravel is a waste of money. ! It seems that it sinks out of sight, and even when such gravel sur- 1 faces are oiled they soon go to pieces. Hence it is intended in the future to use crushed gravel on the streets. The people should also under-! under-! stand that the sewage plant Is so located as to serve the entire town. There are several other things the administration has in mind which should be done, provided the funds are available. As you know, Preston has a heavy bonded debt' which must be paid., The interest is being paid promptly when due, and the principal is being retired as it matures. Taxes collected for that purpose are being strictly used for payment of bonds and interest and for nothing else. This statement is already un.r. In conclusion it may be said that ; it is the intention of, the adminis tration to keep the levy for taxes down to the present level. It cannot can-not be. reduced for a time, but no need is seen for raising it. There has been some little criticism because be-cause a bigger levy was not made for certain purposes, but the City officials have felt that the taxes are high enough now and should be reduced just as soon (is circumstances circum-stances will permit. With the present levy some improvements should be possible and no essential service to the community need be slighted. The administration in- j tends to enforce the law in a fair manner and do all it can do to make Preston a better place in ' which to live; at the same time1 the voters should understand Unit (here are some powers Cities are not granted and certain things Ci-' ties cannot do. But the City will cooperate co-operate with County and State officials offi-cials in the enforcement of the laws. Any information which the voters may desire will be prompily supplied by the official having it, and tho books are open to the inspection in-spection of the public. You are invited in-vited to take an active interest in your City's affairs. And we shall feel honored if given your support on the 4th Tuesday in April at . the polls. J. Clifford Forsgren, Mayor. James Hoggan W, S. Evans Wells McEntire Geo. L. Stanger Councilmen. C. L. Greaves Clerk. Lillie E. Benson Treasurer. |