Improving the town was not without problems

The ballot had two propositions, a revenue bond issue to buy a new electric generator and to improve the electric distribution system, and a second bond issue for water system improvements.  The revenue issue for the electric power plant would not require a tax but would be paid for by growing usage.

Improvements to the water system included laying 12-inch water lines throughout the city, adding 500,000 gallons of elevated water storage and 500,000 of ground level storage, plus automating the system. Among the benefits were fire protection and  lower insurance rates.  Another benefit was that we would be able to retain Ludlow Plastics and its 200 jobs. Without those improvements the plant could not get insurance and would have to relocate.  The plant had retained insurance only upon my assurance that the town was in the process of providing a 12-inch water line to the plant and sufficient water in reserve.

I was proud of the way the water issue would be financed -- with a one dollar a month increase in water bills plus $l,000 a  month from Ludlow.

Homer Lions club, representing many community leaders, had endorsed the proposals, and at a club meeting former mayor Joe Robertson emphasized their importance and asked if anyone had heard of any opposition. No one had, and indications were a favorable vote seemed assured.  It wasn't.

As expected, turnout was light, and when the ballots were counted, each issue was defeated by about two votes. We soon discovered why.  The electric utility, hoping to cause the light plant to fail, had sponsored secret meetings to stir up opposition.

We called for another election, had a town meeting at city hall, and on election day civic leaders got on the phone and encouraged people to vote. Both proposals passed overwhelmingly even though the utility kept up its efforts, putting out false statements.

My problems were not ended.  As lines were laid and connected, some people would be without water for minutes, sometimes hours, and water would often be dirty.  When people don't have clean water, they get angry and they call the mayor to raise hell. At least, it happened that way with me. Of all the many capital improvements made during the time I was mayor, I take most pride in the water system.