Template:Springfield News 10 23 1952 Local Race
From Lane Co Oregon
Local Race Finds Lawyer and Merchant After Larson's Job
Candidates State Platforms
Three prominent Springfield Men are seeking the position of mayor. Considering the strides the city has made in recent years and the continued growth it faces, the voter should give careful study to the man he wants to serve in the city's head office. Here with we presented facts about each candidtate to help the voter decide which man can do the most for the continuing advancement of this city.
| EDWARD HARMS
Edward C. Harms, 28 has been practicing law in Springfield for three years. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon Law School. During World War II, he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served four years in the South Pacific. Harms has served on the Springfield City Council for two years and has experience in city administration. If elected, he assures the voters that he will use common sense government devoted to the entire community and not to one particular area. Harms will support the Municipal Power program and will work for a constructive street-lighting program. He is opposed to setting up a competing water system at this time. He is in favor of the city's present paving program and will go ahead with it if elected. He also would open up dead-end streets as soon as possible. Harms is active in civic affairs. He is president of the local Boosters Club, is 1952 business district chariman for the Community Chest drive, is a member of the state and local bar associations, the Springfield Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and is Democratic precinct councilman. Harms is building a new home in the Northgate section of Springfield for his wife and their two daughters, Kathy, 4; and Kerry, 1 1/2. | B.P. Larson
Incumbent B.P. Larson, 60, is seeking re-election on the bsis of his past four-year record. He campaigned in 1948 on a 10-poing program and states he has fulfilled every promise made. During his term of office, much advancement has been made by the city and Mayor Larson claims his share of the credit for the work done. The Municipal Power Utility was formed which the mayor says has reduced power cost to every resident. Not a street was paved for 37 years before Larson took office, he states, and since he has been mayor, 124 blocks have been paved; and 100 blocks of storm sewers and 12 miles of sanitary sewers have been laid. Other actions in which Larson joins in the credit are the assurance of the South A arterial, the industrial expansion of Springfield, and good city water. If re-elected, Larson plans the following program: construction of a second bridge when the South A arterial is built; off street parking by buying up available property while it is still in a reasonable price range; get the alcohol plant into operaing hands; continue working to bring diversified industry to the area; open up dead-end streets; improve arterials into Springfield to bring more retail business into the area. Mayor Larson, a resident of Springfield for 11 years is married and has six children. Four are married, one son is serving with the Air Corps in Korea; and the youngest, Ilene, is at home. | Ed Laksonen
Ed Laksonen, 51, has been in business in Springfield for aproximately 13 years. He has the meat department at Paramount Market. Before coming to Springfield, he was in the meat business in Eugene for about 12 years. Most active campaigner of the three, Laksonen pledges a progrerssive city administration and close cooperation with the public. He plans an intensive study of the drainage problem to modernize Main Street; elminiate the unsanitary, unattractive and dangerous ditches along the Main Street highway, and to improve the Mill Street Section as well as Paramount. Laksonen stresses that he will not favor the Paramount area over any other in the city, a factor which has caused some discussion in the campaign. Laksonen is a strong supporter of public utilities but believes competition is good for business. He sees no need of the city going into the municipal water business and favors the present set-up. Active in Springfield clubs, Laksonen is a member of the Boosters, the Elks Club, Masonic Lodge, the fraternal order of the Eagles, nd the Kiwanis Club. He is married and has one marrieddaughter who resides in Astoria. |
