Co-Op has new manager New zoning ordinance for Fire destroys rural home City, schools settle squabble INSIDE: Page 7 A county? — Page 3 A Page A12 Page 2 A• NEWSMmS GET mam NATIONAL DONE NEWSPAPER ~\4, 1967 * For PEOPLE * COMMUNITIES * ADVERTISERS * 112th Year, NO. 25 ST. JOHNS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 12, I967 3 SECTIONS - 38 PAGES 15 Cents City income tax under consideration here A city income tax for St. Johns is under consideration by are approximately 24 per cent of the heads of households In *ALL OF THESE COSTS ARE PRESENTLY being borne, of the cost of operations of the city government. the city commission. St. Johns who are retired senior "citizens living on a fixed solely by the property owners of the City of St. Johns," Greer * "A city income tax is a deductible Item from state and federal ~ The tax would be 1 per cent of the taxable income of city income. A city income tax would primarily exempt this group pointed out in the report. "A local income tax on those persons tax returns for all of those who pay state and federal Income taxes. residents and .5 per cent of the taxable income of persons of people, while the reduction brought about in property taxes who'do not live here but who derive their income within the City who earn their living here but live outside of St. Johns. would aid them. of St. Johns would help pay for city services which they use. "ONE OF THE PRINCIPLE advantages for a city income tax is that this is a more equitable and fair way to finance the services The city administration reports such a tax would allow "Investigation also shows there would be a reduction of "Investigation shows approximately 65 to 75 per cent of the a reduction of at least two mills in the current property tax at least 2 mills in the current property tax rate should the city (of a city, as it Is based on the ability to pay. With the exemptions earned Incomes within the City of St. Johns are being paid to those that are granted for retired persons on social security, pensions, rate. It would raise approximately $100,000 annually. institute an income tax," Greer wrote in the "Municipal Report." persons who work here but live elsewhere. _ City Manager Ken Greer, writing about the commission's gifts, retirement plans, etc., and with the exemptions for large "This income tax would also provide relief to-those who "Even these people, who although they would contribute to the families and a tax .that is based on the income tax, insures a consideration of the income tax in the fall issue of the ad- have large families and to many small businessmen who would support of the City of St. Johns, would benefit to some extent, and ministrations's 'Municipal Report" mailed to taxpayers this fair shake for those people who can least afford to pay taxes. not have to pay an income tax but would benefit from a property this local tax would be deductible from their state and federal "An income tax for the City of St. Johns would be a local week said the proposal is being considered "as an approach tax reduction. taxes." 'and remedy for the pressing financial problems of St. Johns." ordinance that is written into state law and which follows the "The • greatest benefit to the overall city would be through Greer continued his explanation of the possible income tax: general rules of the federal income tax and all of its exemptions. the levying of an income tax on the non-residents who work and "There are certain types ofbusinessessuchasthe mail order "A CITY INCOME TAX would appear to be the best overall Pensions, insurance dividends, retirement benefits,'gifts, etc. all earn their living in the City of St. Johns and utilize, but do not houses, lawyers, dentists, doctors, and other professional persons would be exempt from this income tax. answer to the problem of financial stability for the City of who now pay only a very small personal property tax who would, contribute, to the cost of street construction, repair, water, fire,' "This ordinancewould assure tax relieffor senior citizens who St. Johns," he writes. "Tax dollars raised through this method police, etc. because of their relatively high incomes, pay more of their share could be utilized to help support the water and sewer fund of C See INCOME TAX, Page 3-A )' the City of St. Johns which in turn would insure water customers i of a reasonable minimum bill. • • • • • • • ' • • • • • • • • •At the present time it appears that, without some source CLINTON COUNTY of revenue or contribution from the general fund, the only alternative is to AT LEAST double the present water billing." traffic deaths The commission may have an ordinance creating the income Since January 1,1967 tax ready for introduction and formal consideration at their next meeting Tuesday, Oct. 17. It would probably not be voted on, however, until at least the following session, since the normal procedure does not allow passage of an ordinance at 8 Schools ask more millage its first reading, or introduction. The proposed 1 per cent and .5 per cent income tax would THIS TIME LAST produce - about'$100;000, Greer told the Clinton County News— YEAR: 12 roughly , about $18 per capita, on the average. But a lot of people would not have to pay. any income tax because of their limited incomes. _, drive to finish building program "THE COMMISSION IN ITS investigation discovered there carefully • - 'n • • Another three-quarters of a mill ia taxation will be necessary to complete the St. Johns Public Schools' building program, Chest the board of education announced last Wednesday night. drive The board voted to submit to voters on Nov. 20 a $250,000 bond issue proposal, the money from which would be used primar­ opening ily to buy equipment for the new rural neigh­ Businessmen, educa­ tors, housewives and profession­ borhood elementary schools. al people are on a lopg list of District voters Will ^'W^:*:*:-:-:*:-:***:'*"*1*1*1***^* volunteers who will open Clinton County's annual Communities be asked to approve Chest fund drive next Monday. another three quar­ Call citizen's During the ensuing two weeks they'll be trying to raise $27,000 ters of a' mill in taxes for the benefit of nine public agen­ for 10 years. cies which do extensive work in committee In May 1966 the voters ap­ the county. The 110-man citizens ad­ HUGH BYRNES HARVEY FRENCH KARLIS DAKERS ^ Chairmen for the various proved 7 mills for a $5.4 mil­ visory committee that worked phases of the fund drive were, lion building program;kintheface with the school board, prior announced last week by Mrs Al- of inflated labor costs since to the May 1966 school bond vin Thelen of rural St. Johns, that time, the $5.4 million won't issue is being reconvened next Communities Chest presidentfor quite do the job originally week to work on the current Federal-Mogul promotes this year. planned. proposed bond issue. They include Ed Idzkowskl, A meeting of the citizens Federal-Mogul plant manager, THE BOARD'S action has been committee will be held at" 3 to foreman status here industrial drive; Milo Rowell of anticipated since January when 8 p.'m. next Tuesday in the bids were opened on contracts' basement of the First Con­ Federal-Mogul Corp. has an­ Mogul here since 1951, French He is a graduate of Rodney B. E.F. Boron's and Charles Hunt­ since 1957 and Dakers since 1961. Wilson High School with the class ington of the Clinton National for the neighborhood schools and gregational Church. nounced the promotion of three they came in higher than had of its employees to foreman stat­ of 1950 and attended DeltaCollege Bank, business drive; Dr R.L. The citizens committee Byrnes started at the St. Johns been estimated. The general, us at the St. Johns Plant. at Escanaba for a year before Wohlers, DDS, professional worked with the school board plant July 3, 1951, as a machine serving two years with the, U.S. drive; Rev Gerald Churchill of last y e a r - in an advisory Plant ManagerEdwardldzkow- operator. He was advanced to Marines from 1952 to 1954. He the First Congregational Registration capacity and also to help ski said the appointments were set-up man in February 1965 and and his wife Marlene have four Church, clergy drive; Mrs Fred spread information on the effective Oct. 1 for Hugh Byrnes, to group leader in April 1966. children, Gary 15, James 11, (Mary) Meyer, residential drive; deadline Oct. 20 needs of the district regard­ 43, of 125 'W. Clinton Street, He is a native of the Perry area Julie 7 and Sheri 3. Steve Bakita, administrative as­ In order to be eligible to ing the building program. Ovid; Harvey French, 36, of 3394 and graduated from Perry High sistant in the St. Johns Public vote In the Nov. 20 school Dakers is 31 years old. He N, US-27, R-3, St. Johns; and School in 1942. He served with started at Federal-Mogul in.Sept- Schools, school drive; and Mrs" bond issue, property owners the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 and the Interest the school will Karlls Dakers, 31, of 503 Lam­ ember 1961 as a machine oper­ Donna Love, RN, of Clinton Me -_: must be registered with their bert Drive, St. Johns. in the European theater during mortal Hospital, hospital drive.