1938

Clark County, Wisconsin

All preliminary steps have been taken by the Granton Town Board and Mr. Hamel engineer for the General Engineering Company of Portage, Wisconsin, to prepare the way for a waterworks plant and system.

The next step will have to be taken by the electors of the village, to decide whether or not they wish to construct the waterworks system at this time.

We have been urging the electors to vote for this project because we feel it the right thing to do and that it is a step in the right direction.

At no time in the future will you be able to construct a waterworks plant and system under such favorable conditions as exist at this time.  Today you have the opportunity to construct a system at less than the material would cost.  Another big item is that it will not cost the taxpayers a cent extra on their taxes to build the system. The system must pay for itself and the bonding company which is ready to buy the bonds as soon as the voters give their consent is willing to risk their money on this proposition. They realize it is a good investment.

In the event our readers do not quite understand how this bonding works, we’ll explain more in detail. The Village sells Waterworks Mortgage Bonds to the Bonding Company, not to exceed $20,000. Then the waterworks system pays off these bonds with the money derived from its earnings.  A sufficient number of prospective users have been contacted to assure its success, so no fear need be had on this score. The system WILL pay for itself.

With factories in the larger cities casting about for good small towns in which to establish their plants, Granton would have a splendid opportunity to get one of these plants or factories. Water is a main factor with any kind of a manufacturing plant.

Anything which helps business helps everyone, either directly or indirectly.  So with a crew of men being employed on this project for about a year, the money these men will receive for wages will naturally be spent in Granton.

Granton has never taken advantage of a PWA grant for this type of work. Why not take advantage of this opportunity as all other towns, villages and cities are doing?

The State of Wisconsin is granted a certain amount of money from the federal government for this type of work.  If the voters of Granton turn down this opportunity, then the money will go elsewhere in Wisconsin.  You have nothing to lose by voting YES, but you have much to gain.

Do you want Granton to Progress, or do you want it to go the way of all “has been” towns?

We understand that the water mains will be eight inch pipe which will take care of future needs.  All materials used in the construction of this plant and system will be first class so that it will not have to be replaced in a few years.  A water tower and tank will be built which will furnish the necessary pressure for fire protection, sprinkling, and household needs.

Voters of Granton this is your business, think it over and do your duty at the polls on September 20, when you will find a referendum ballot for this purpose with your other ballots.

Granton Sentinel, Granton, Clark Co., WI

September 9, 1938, Front Page.

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon on January 19, 2011.

Granton to Hold Referendum
 on Waterworks Sept. 20^th

Granton is almost assured of a water works system of this coming year.

This is one of the finest things that could ever happen here and all the other villages, towns and cities that have put in their own waterworks systems, have never regretted it.  We have still to hear from any city which would be willing to give up their waterworks plant.

If Granton ever expects to grow or get outside industry to locate here, it will necessarily have to have a waterworks system in order to assure manufacturers that their plant will be able to get ample fire protection as well as pure drinking water for their employees.

The question of good healthful drinking water for employees is being emphasized more and more by the State Health Department and private wells are being condemned.

With the large factories in the cities closing because of strikes and labor trouble, many manufacturers are looking for new locations for their factories in small towns and cities, where the labor racketeers have been unable to get a foothold.

Today, if Granton can get a Federal grant, they will be able to put in their waterworks system for less than the cost of materials. The part which the Village of Granton will come in will be taken care of through Waterworks Mortgage Bonds. That is, not one cent will the taxpayers have to pay for the construction of this plant.  The plant will have to pay its own way.

To show the people of Granton just how much faith the Financial Institutions have in this kind of a proposition, we can tell you that a large company has already offered to buy the bonds, should the voters of Granton decide to have their own plant.  And we know from what we’ve seen in other places, that you’ll never regret having put in your own system.

If the electors of Granton vote for this Waterworks plant, you will see activity around here in a short time.  Men will be given work in building the tower, pump-house, and in laying the mains.  This payroll will bring money and new life into the community.  And if you turn this down, some other community will snap it up. So why not take your share now and keep it in Granton.

Granton Sentinel, Granton, Clark Co., WI

September 9, 1938, Page 4.

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon on February 8, 201

Web page updated by James W. Sternitzky PhD, February 13, 2011.

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