As many folks know, I'm running for the Board of Estimate and Taxation. As
such, I've been going around the City for the better part of the year
listening to the concerns of citizens. Sometimes it has been one on one.
Sometimes it has been at Mayoral or Park Board or Library Board forums.
Sometimes it has just been at gatherings of concerned citizens.
Frankly, the thing that has struck me has been how many of residents'
concerns have to do with a lack of funding. Citizens concerned about crime
issues have at the heart of their concerns the lack of funding that has
resulted in cutting 150 cops. Citizens concerned about libraries are
concerned about the 25% reduction in library hours, a result of the way the
City chose to deal with property tax and LGA losses. Citizens concerned
about the parks are concerned about how little money there is for park
programs.
What is the common thread? The City doesn't have enough money to provide
services at the levels that citizens want. Yet taxes for the average
citizen have been going through the roof over the last six to eight years.
Now, after talking to citizens for almost a year, we have never tied all
these threads together to talk about the root of all of these concerns. We
have never had a forum which talks specifically about money. Well that is
changing. We are having a forum for the Board of Estimate candidates on
Thursday November 3. It will be at the Linden Hills Recreation Center, 3100
W. 43rd Street. It is being sponsored by SD 60 DFL. Board of Estimate
candidates will be up at 8:00 p.m. to talk about funding issues. Please
consider coming if you are concerned about some of the issues that I have
talked about.
Thanks
Carol
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