Headlines of The Daily Dispatch on Tuesday, June 02, 2009, read “City bites bullet, reaches budget”.
In the article that appeared under that headline, I notice some continuing trends by our city government that trouble me greatly and give cause for alarm. Apparently, the City Council views funding a Special Projects Director (grant writer?) — the position vacated by Kathy Powell — more important than a firefighter.
Also at issue:
Freezing an assistant finance director — fewer eyes to monitor the money trail? Maybe more Weed and Seed repayments? Could there be another $ 317,000 drug forfeiture fund misstatement?
Freezing a code enforcement officer — no clean up Henderson! Crack houses and substandard housing will continue to flourish. Neighborhood s will continue to degrade, check out the corner of Red Bud and Oxford Road.
Reducing the demolition budget by $ 15,000. Read Elissa Yount’s HiH editorial for last week?
Cutting a $ 20,000 contribution to a program in which the developmentally disadvantaged clean up downtown.
I understand that this “Special Projects Director Position” is actually dedicated to 50% work for the Embassy Square Foundation. Granted , Embassy Square Foundation is supposed to pay 50% of the salary with the city absorbing the benefit cost, insurance and retirement?
There is something amiss here! In the past , how many grants did this position generate for the City of Henderson that did not benefit Embassy Square? What is the forecast amount that it is expected to produce during this budget? Where are the goals and time tables?
I can only echo a statement made during the public hearing regarding the grant application for the Embassy Square Cultural Arts Center, “When you need a cop (fireman- EMT), call the library”.
For every citizen that suffers a serious injury or has a fire strike their home or auto, I doubt knowing that “grant writer” was on the job will offer much solace.
I recommend that all citizens attend the City Council Meeting this Monday, June 08, 2009, and question the illogical budget that is due for approval.
Remember, we deserve what we are willing to accept!
Lewis H. Edwards
2412 Oxford Road