30 years ago – November 14, 1986
The new mayor and aldermen of Central City will not be sworn into office until January, but already they have been handed one of the toughest tasks the city has to offer. Mayor William C. Russell, Jr. and the Central City Council decided unanimously at their meeting last week to form a committee to review the 1987 proposed city budget. The committee will be headed by Mayor-Elect Bruce Schmalz. Also on the committee will be the newly elected aldermen: Dick Allen, Angelo DiBenedetto, Frank Macri, and Claude Paul. The new aldermen were present in the audience. Copies of the water fund, budget summary (1985-1987) and the general fund schedule of revenues for 1985-1987 were available for everyone. Russell and Alderman J.D. Corelli voiced opposition to a proposed one mill increase for the city for property taxes. They were concerned that the Gilpin County Commissioners might increase the county mill levy since the Siegrist quarry proposal was rejected. The council voted against increasing the city’s mill levy, which is 17.3. After the meeting was adjourned, people in the audience were seen diligently reading the proposed 1987 budget.
In a stunning announcement on Tuesday night, Bill Sousa told the Black Hawk City Council he was resigning from his position as Street & Water Commissioner. Just before the announcement, Sousa gave a short report and then stated that he was “handing in his resignation,” effective November 30. The council seemed stunned. Just after Sousa’s statement, there was silence and no one asked him why he was resigning. In fact, there have been many problems in the past months between the Council and Commissioner Sousa. The problems, plus the fact that the Council voted against a five percent pay increase for city employees next year, may have prompted Sousa’s decision. Sousa was unavailable for comment. According to Mona Dawkins, city clerk/treasurer, the Council went into executive session Tuesday night and decided to advertise the now open position of Street & Water commissioner of Black Hawk in the Weekly Register-Call.
Support authors and subscribe to content
Subscribe to read the entire article.
