OPINION, by J.P.Panesko
"... it really bothers me that when private businesses and citizens are hurting and are cutting back expenses, the city declares "full steam ahead, pay raises for everybody, and let's build a new park!" Now I'm certainly not against parks by any means. But gee whiz, we already have plenty of excellent parks here. If we can manage to just keep those existing ones open and well-maintained during this downturn, then we're doing really well. But to be talking about (and spending on) expanding parks and building new ones right now, that's just plain crazy. When good times return, then sure, do those kinds of things. But right now, let's focus on the basics, the need-to-haves.
And don't you wonder how many of the laid-off employees could have been saved if they had only frozen salaries a year or two ago? That's what a lot of companies (like my former one) did, in order to save as many jobs as possible.
I watched the council meeting on TV a few weeks ago (you blogged about it) when hundreds of people were down at city hall from those two churches. That was impressive, and certainly the most people I have seen in council chambers. Too bad that more of them didn't speak up (I think many immigrants are fearful to challenge authority, as it probably wasn't done in their home countries, not to mention the language difference). So I guess there are a few others out there suffering due to lack of city sewer on their street.
You know, I don't think anybody ever challenges him (mayor), and he is so used to getting his way that it causes major cognitive dissonance when somebody actually says "NO". Not that I think he's a bad person or anything, quite the contrary."
J.P. Panesko
Redmond, WA.
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--Bob Yoder
While I'm sure the city council and mayor may personally stick to budgets, in classic political form, they way too frequently choose elect ability over decisive financial management and genuine budgeting by priorities. The council's recent vote on Education Hill dirt jump decision is one example. Citywide department budgets - including public safety - are down ~6% yet discretionary spending continues, unabated. We didn't need a rocket scientist last quarter to tell us income (revenue) was going to drop drastically, and borrowing money (bonds) was going to get expensive yet the city checkbook remains open for business as usual given you, me, and other residents are expected to pay even more in taxes. Financial management?
ReplyDeleteThe city's Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) program proves the point equally strong. Please, council and mayor. Give the city's employees a bit more credit - they are smart enough to recognize the nation's double digit unemployment harbors dozens of equally or better qualified people chomping at the bit to have A job. The cold, hard blow of today's economic reality that has befallen many in OUR community is a powerful, unbiased and unambiguous fact.
I find councilmember Allen's re-election and position on the levy effort a strong statement from the mythical silent majority that the council and mayor would be smart to recognize and re-focus their collective fiscal responsibility. The money tap is dry and getting pissed.