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Show POLITICS TAKES SPOTLIGHT AS PEOPLE'S PARTY ENTERS CITY RACE Strong Ticket Headed By J. V. IVIcLea Thrown Into Political Ring; Convention 'Packing' Feared WITH Mayor George H. Harrison's Har-rison's "so-long" ringing in their ears, members of the People's Party hitched up a six man team, Monday night and prepared to drive it around the local political course toward the November finish line. The People's ticket, headed by J. V. McLea, acclaimed acclaim-ed candidate for mayor, was conceded to be a powerful entree en-tree even by the opposing Progressive Pro-gressive Party. Aside from McLea the loyals of the incumbent party nominated Lynn Nickell for 4-year council; Lynn Johnson, Lawrence Pack and Sam Weiss for 2-year coun-cilmen, coun-cilmen, while handing Gordon Harmston the unopposed candidacy candi-dacy for city recorder. A point of order was raised by City Attorney Ray E. Dill-man Dill-man when the name of Arnold neei ior cixy treasurer was presented pre-sented to the convention by Mayor May-or Harrison. Mr. Dillman reminded remind-ed the assembly that under Utah law a candidate may run only on one ticket, and since Mr. Reef had already accepted the nomination 011 the Progressive ticket his name was withdrawn. A vacancy committee was appointed ap-pointed to take the matter under advisement. The nominating convention with 57 present, some of whom had already pledged allegiance to the Progressive Party, was called to order by Chairman J. V. McLea, who announced the purpose of the meeting. He introduced intro-duced Mayor Harrison, who as keynoter, bowed out of local politics,, pol-itics,, before, explaining' the actions ac-tions of the present city administration. admin-istration. i TOUCHING upon the city street problem, and the controversial contro-versial water issue the Mayor said: "The city council has done many things the citizens know-nothing know-nothing about. In the search for water we have had the assistance of competent engineers, and our dprisinn tn utilize the nrpcont wells is based on an engineer's recommendation. "The city has big ideas with a pauper's purse," the Mayor continued, consequently it has been humanly impossible to do the things we wanted to do on our present revenue. This is the first time since I've been mayor that we have had to borrow money. Until two years ago Roosevelt was one of three Utah cities which operated on a "cash and carry" basis. Now like other towns we function on a program of anticipated revenue," the Mayor advised. Striking out at the much discussed dis-cussed question of taxation, Mayor May-or Harrison said, "Sound thinking think-ing councilmen will not do things to hurt themselves or the community." In response to his own call for questions the Mayor explained that about $4000 in water accounts and $2000 in license li-cense accounts remain outstanding, outstand-ing, but that the street and law enforcement funds are in the "red." He listed a $600 per annum budget for streets, lamenting the inadequacy of the fund, but brightening the scene by advising advis-ing his listeners that a $1200 allotment al-lotment from the state is being held in reserve for the purchase of equipment. On the touchy question of extending ex-tending the sewer system to the "Flats" the Mayor explained that the original amount specified for this purpose had to be doubled in order to complete the project. In closing his keynote address Mayor Harrison paid tribute to the late John E. Wiscombe for his outstanding service as city recorder, and concluded by expressing ex-pressing his pleasure for having had the opportunity of serving the city as its mayor. Nominations were opened by Mayor Harrison's presenting J. V. McLea to the convention as the People's Party candidate for mayor. After relinquishing the chair to the Mayor, Mr. McLea accepted the nomination. He was affirmed by acclamation. 1 IN the race for 4-year councilman, council-man, Lynn Nickell won over Paul Nelson. For 2-year councilmen coun-cilmen Sam Weiss, Ronald Page, Lawrence Pack, Lynn Johnston, Dick Adams and Theron Leavitt ran the gamut of a secret ballot vote which resulted in the naming nam-ing of Sam Weiss, Lawrence Pack and Lynn Johnston. Gordon Harmston was unopposed for recorder. re-corder. Expectancy of a "packed convention" con-vention" highlighted the session. The appearance of Progressive Party members in the audience aroused a fear that a People's Party vote might be invalidated and brought a warning from Mayor Harrison and an admonition admoni-tion from Chairman McLea that "Common sense is wanted here let's not try to tear anything down but let this be a business busi-ness meeting without any funny business being attempted." Disregarding the fear of a "packed" convention," the nominations nom-inations were conducted in a "bang up" style. The People's Party entered a strong ticket, minus outside help. |
