OCR Text |
Show j VV VIEWPOINT g ' CLIFF MEMMOTT. Editor - -t A NEW MAYOR AND COUNCIL TAKE OVER AS THE OLD ONES SHED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. . . . Monday saw Mayor J. V. McLea and Councilman Ben-nie Ben-nie Schmiett step out of the official shoes and pass them on to others who will direct the affairs of the City of Roosevelt during the next four years. Installed Monday as mayor of Roosevelt was the second i retiring councilman, Paul Murphy, who along with Mr. j Schmiett have given four years of their time and talents to their community as builders of a better community. Former Mayor McLea occupied the mayor's seat slightly less than two years, filling the unexpired term of the late Homer P. Edwards. Each of these men has served well and each is deserving of praise and commendation for his contributions. contribu-tions. Without overlooking the outstanding leadership and work of the retiring councilmen. I'd like to pass on, what I think is a deserving bowl of orchids to Jack McLea for the outstanding- leadership he has manifested and the progress pro-gress Roosevelt has enjoyed during his short administration. I like a man who has the fortitude to lead out in a crusade I that will become a benefit to the masses. And in my esti- j mation, Mr. McLea has demonstrated a desire to see many ; woTthwhile things done for our city that were needed. . . And, lest I be misunderstood, any praise I direct toward Mr. McLea, is in no way a reflection on former mayors of Roosevelt I'm sure eadh has made his niche in the slab j of progress in the community. And now a word of encouragement is most certainly in order for Mayor Murphy and two new councilmen, Dwain ; Buchanan and Floyd Peterson as they begin their tenure ; in office as members of the governing body of this com munity. To them and the other fine men who make up the council, and those appointed to work for and in behalf of the city, should go a word of appreciation that they would dedicate a part of their lives to the progress and development of our community. v E v WE ALL PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING NEIGHBORLY-THEN NEIGHBORLY-THEN LET US JOIN THE MARCH OF DIMES. . . We all pride ' ourselves on being neighborly. Within the circle of our community, the helping hand is extended to those in distress. But being a good neighbor in just our own community is not enough. There are many mutual problems facing all of us that can be solved only on a national na-tional level. Some of these are health and welfare problems that are much better solved voluntarily through all our i own efforts than by a paternalistic all-embracing government. govern-ment. The scourge of polio is one problem that cannot be solved locally. Victory can be won only if every community commun-ity voluntarily supports a coordinated national attack against the disease. This requires a national organization to lead the fight. Fortunately we have a battle-tested leader in the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. For 16 years the National Foundation and its bounty chapters have spear-headed the attack against polio. It is a purely voluntary organization financed solely by the March of Dimes. It grew out of the recognition of . millions of people that polio could be conquered only through an expensive and expansive effort. This is the American way of doing things, as opposed to the totalitarian way in which government does it all and people must simply accept what is done. Some people believe that neighborliness should stop at the borders of their own community. They would have the government take over all large health and welfare programs. We don't believe these people realize what this kind of government program would involve. As President Eisenhower recently said when talking about voluntary agencies: "The slogan of a true democracy is not Let the Government do it. The true slogan is Let's do it Ourselves." The 16th March of Dimes is just starting. It may well be the most significant one ever held. The announcement of a new program POLIO PREVENTION with a trial vaccine to be tested this year may mean a grim and expensive ex-pensive battle soon won. Victory seems close, but it can only be reached if we all dig down and give more than ever before. Here is Our chance to be good neighbors on a national scale and prove that the spirit of voluntary cooperation is a mighty weapon against disease and disaster. 30 |