By Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer

In 1996, when Sarnia Councillors voted to impose special fees on automatic teller machines, they were accused of setting a dangerous precedent.

In fact, Mayor Mike Bradley and his Aldermen faced so much criticism from the banking community that they quickly reversed themselves.

But the truth is 1996’s Council was not the first to look for controversial new ways to raise money.

Indeed, the crew led by Mayor James Crawford 78 years ago went so far as to impose a special levy on merry-go-rounds.

Born in Kingston in 1864, Crawford moved to Point Edward with his family as a five-year old.

Life in those days was no piece of cake and Crawford found himself working as a Fireman with the Grand Truck Railroad at the tender age of 12. Later, he became an Engineer.

He moved to Sarnia in 1900, developed an interest in local politics and was elected to Council as an Alderman in 1915. Three years later he became our 38th Mayor.

The new Chief Magistrate proved adept at getting local industry to help finance special municipal projects. He even talked Imperial Oil into paying the full cost of paving Mitton Street.

But he earned the wrath of the business community when Council decided to impose or dramatically increase licence fees on theatres, pool rooms, bowling alleys, laundries, second hand stores, milk vendors, restaurants and other businesses.

Some rates were doubled and new levies were placed on firms that had never faced fees before. There was even a special $10.00 fee for stores that sold tobacco. Merry-go-round operators were hit with a $20.00 charge.

Despite the outcry, however, Council stuck to its guns and raised the extra revenues it was looking for.

Mayor Crawford proved to be ahead of his time when it came to the hiring of women. Indeed, he gained considerable attention by suggesting Sarnia Police Department hire a female constable. The idea didn’t catch on during his administration but lady officers are a common sight in local police cruisers today.

The father of two died on December 10, 1956, at age 92.