After year of austerity $ g; & 1 City prepares for second shot at income tax •A and pursve what they termed an austerity program. ' tention but continued failure to sweep streets and clean Early this year Mayor Robert Wood commented After over one year of operating on an austerity that he feels the city lost $400,000 in revenue during budget program, St. Johns city commissioners this Among the major services cut back were main­ catch basins could ultimately cost the city excessive tenance of streets and sidewalks in the areas of sweep­ amounts. the last two years because of two charter revision de­ irfonth will loft a trial balloon in efforts to test the nials by residents and the inability of the water fund to winds of public opinion. ing and snow removal, numerous administrative cur­ Since defeat of the two financial related proposals y- tailments, adjusted hours for refuse facilities and rec­ in early 1968, the city has on two occasions borrowed repay loans extended from the general fund. The trial will come in the form of a civic ad­ reational program cutbacks. Since adopting the tight­ a total of 155,000. The current loan of approximately The charter amendment defeats forced the city to visory vote Tuesday July 15 questioning residents on ened budget plan some conditions within the city have $65,000 was granted with a warning from the Michigan reduce its 16-mill levy of three years ago to 10-mills. 'their feelings toward a city income tax. The leveling deteriorated markedly while others have received Municipal Finance Commission that unless the local of such a tax has been kicked around by proponents and funds and attention to remain fairly stable. picture improves further loans may be denied. The higher millage had been levied through a mis­ opponents of the idea since it was soundly defeated in understanding that the city charter providedforalimit a referendum vote in February 1968, "We ,have cut things to the point where we just WHILE NO OFFICIAL favor or disfavor among of up to 20 mills. Consequently the erasure of the 6 *» can't cut any more," commented City Manager Harvey mills from the income side of the ledger has added to Weatherwax. "I'm sure that with the grace of God and, the financial sqeeze.) At that time the proposal was presented as part of barring unexpected developments, we can continue as See related stories^on pages 7 and 14A a package which also, if accepted, would have allowed we have. But eventually this is going to catch up with WOOD HAS INDICATED that the Municipal Fi­ city administrative officials to raise the millage as­ us and. .bang!" sessment limitation from ten to fifteen mills. The is­ city commissioners has been indicated, the income tax nance Commission would undoubtedly look favorably on future loans If a charter revision were in the mill, but sues were drowned in a 3-1 deluge of opposition. A IN DISCUSSING CITY services with a Clinton proposal returned to life early this year as a means to total of 1,158 voters opposed the income tax question combat the growing financial crisis. After a ruling by Maples' ruling has brought the elementoftimeinto the County News reporter Weatherwax made repreated picture. A growing pressure for a steady source of in­ while 439 supported the plan and the millage issue sank references to difficulties and possibly large expenses City Attorney Paul Maples in February which omitted by 758 votes, 1,110-352. any possibilities for a charter revision vote until next come is plaguing the city and there is some concern which may be incurred through further neglect of over what could happen between the present and such streets and sewer catch basins. year, city officials increased their discussions on the income tax question as well as another proposal sub­ a time when statutes permit another charter revision SHORTLY AFTER THE vote city commissioners referendum. estimated the city could incur a deficit of nearly $150,- mitted by a citizens group. The alternate proposal, 000 because of the loss of revenue and on the strength The city manager readily indicated that every de-- outlined elsewhere In this issue, is based on a bond of their forecast voted to curtail numerous services partment in the city's administration is in need of at­ sales plan. (Continued on page 14A) Si Si 114th Year, No. 9 ST. JOHNS, MICH.- Wednesday, July 2, 1969 15 cents Residents to be asked for Among activities at the Ovid Centennial, city fathers buried a time capsule. Inside the vault were several items of the 20th century includ- _ . ing the special Ovid-Elsie Banner Centennial section, a Sears catalog, summer tax pre-payment and Ovid-Elsie High School Yearbook, the city charter and many other items.- More pictures and stories on pages 12 and 13. * '*: The St. Johns City Commis- the city commission and Weath­ " jsion met in special session Mon- erwax, City Clerk Tom Hundley Ovid centennial ends .day* night tp hear suggestions and City Attorney Paul Maples t from a citizens group regard­ were instructed to prepare a ing action to be taken to combat letter for mailing. Weatherwax after gala week / the current tax freeze which pro­ indicated 'the letter would prob­ hibits the city from issuing state­ ably be in the mail by late next Saturday was the grand finale of a week's activities ments for the mid-year billing week. at the Ovid Centennial. t period.' The beard Judging contest preceded the spectacular The freeze, leveled by direc­ parade. Plaques were awarded to seven groups like tion of -the state tax commis­ Sealed Power 4-H and churches that entered the parade, according sion, has come about because of to parade chairman Bud Kasler, as well as the eight an appeal by citizens in the De- declares band entries. Witt area over property assess­ More than 70 different entries passed for review ments. before city fathers and visiting dignataries from dividend Perry. On the review stand were the officials and Attorney Tim Green and Dr S. their wives: Perry mayor, Mr and Mrs Ray Watkins, R. Russell were principal rep­ Directors of Sealed Power Perry councilman, Mr and Mrs John Kaiser, Ovid resentatives of the,citizens group Corporation today declared a 10 mayor, Mr and Mrs George Craig and Ovid council­ which offered the^ proposal that percent stock dividend, payable man, Mr and Mrs Willard Barthel. Announcer for * the city send letters encourag­ August 6, 1969, to stockholders the parade was Hugo Leonard. ing businesses and residents to of record on July 16, 1969. Highlights of the parade included old cars, fire •;' pay their summer taxes in an engines, bicycles and pretty girls. Centennial queen, ^ •; The dividend willincr ease out­ tamount equal to that of last year. Janet Austin and her court were riding in the parade ' '[ Upon release of the freeze by the standing shares by 157,208 to,a in customary centennial garb. state, appropriate adjustments total of 1,729,293. The US Marine CorpsColorGuardstartedtheparade .- on all bills will be made. Sealed Power previously de­ followed closely by the Ovid-Elsie HighSchoolMarch- clared 10 percent stock dividends ing Band. Other band entries included combined Ovid ;'! The letters at present would in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, and Elsie Junior High Schools marching band, Corunna .V not in any way be demands for and 1968. A 3-for-2 stock split payment but would serve as an was effected in 1964. High School, Owosso High School, Chesaning High > encouragement for aprepayment School and Perry High School and Junior High School *; of taxes to allow a source of Paul C. Johnson, chairman, Bands. income for the city. In a letter to stockholders, said Featured among the bands was the Ovid Alumni •; directors. have Indicated their Band. About a 30 membered band, the group consisted •-, City Manager Harvey Weath- Intention to continue the 25-cent of graduates of Ovid High School from the years /- erwas explained that payment dividend rate oh the increased PANEL CONDUCTS CHAMBER MEETING 1920 to 1967. They were attired in various centennial •> ' now would not preclude receipt shares. ensembles. A male twlrler and a majorette led the "> of a bill at a later date but bill­ The company is a major man­ band dressed in early 1900's bathing suits. X, ings then would be accompanied ufacturer ofpistonrlngs, pistons, The Kangaroo Court also was anentrylnthe parade. by receipts showing amounts cylinder sleeves and other enelne A panel of five directors of the Chamber of Commerce fielded questions and comments from Together they rode the parade route in a 1910 Reo \ previously paid. The paid parts for both the original equip­ persons in the audience of 120 members who attended a general meeting Monday snight. Charles - truck. * '," amounts would be credited to the ment and replacement markets. Coletta, standing foreground, served as moderator for the discussion. Others in background, left Horses were also abundant. Several drawn wagons •••' bill and taxpayers would pay or It has recently diversified into were in the parade. The size of the horses ranged receive any difference that might zinc and 'aluminum die casting, to right, Brandon White, president, James Moore, Eel Monkey and James Leon. In foreground from a new colt to many huge Belgian work horses. exist. powdered metal and auto air sealed are Roberta Mageli and Maxine Fedewa, Ribbons were presented to each entry in the parade. X The proposal was accepted by conditioning components. •.-.•.-.-.-.•.•.•.W.V VA\%^V.V.W.%V,W.:.K.K*:»W *. Name two sanitarians 120 attend • • to area health unit a service Chambermeei One-hundred and twenty mem­ White fielded questions and com- ' Two sanitarians have been .