By Wolfgang von Buchler
Anderson resident
All across the county and throughout Indiana, cities are facing significant budget cuts. As a municipality’s budget decreases the task of providing essential services to citizens becomes very daunting. These services not only benefit the community directly, but serve as an attraction to local businesses wanting to expand, as well as new businesses seeking a community in which to locate.
Services cut versus those retained speak volumes about the city’s priorities and values. Should the burden of cuts be placed more heavily on one department or evenly distributed? What about quality of life? In an Oct. 23 article in The Herald Bulletin about budget cuts, the information was not totally accurate or complete. According to figures on display regarding the Oct. 10 City Council meeting, the following cuts are proposed: Fire Department — 9% cut; Police Department — 14%; other departments from 5 to 15%, with several departments showing no budget for 2010. Are they being funded or eliminated?
What was not shown was a 73% cut in the Parks Department (starting budget $2,752,251 — after cuts — $753,433). How can a 73% cut be justified? What information or evidence was used to make this decision? Was/will public input be sought or considered? And, if we faced such a tough budget, why was a brand new SUV purchased by the city this year for use by the Parks Department? Recently The Indianapolis Star reported that their parks department is facing an 8% budget cut. However, they are planning to obtain input from the public on how to more effectively deal with this reduction and still provide quality services and facilities. Anderson residents pay the bills through taxes. Our elected officials owe us an explanation.
Parks are essential to the vitality of a community. They help improve or at the least maintain the physical and psychological health of its citizens. They are a key component to the strength of the real estate market. Clearly the basic fundamentals and assets of our parks system are being taken for granted. If budget cuts are made, how will maintenance of equipment, facilities and even mowing be accomplished? Will people be able to reserve Shadyside Park for weddings or family reunions? Facing a reduction in staff, will recreation programs such as youth football still be offered? Will there still be Concerts in the Park? More now than ever, it’s critical that this community and its officials understand the overall value of our parks system — what it provides and what it offers to the economic value of this community.
If we value our parks, let’s support them!
Letters
Viewpoint: With budget slashed, what will happen to Anderson’s parks?
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Letter: Public should have say on library space
As taxpayers, does the public have no say-so what happens with their tax dollars? With some proper schedule management, those existing meeting rooms can fulfill everyone’s needs.
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Letter: Election fraud tales turn voters away
Columnist Maureen Hayden asked, “Why did 3 million Hoosiers choose not to vote?” She gave a few reasons but I can think of another one.
How about election fraud? -
Letter: Elected officials should buy insurance
I may be wrong but I thought the city and county were hurting for money, and that’s why services keep getting cut or eliminated. One thing is evident. There is no shortage of money for lawsuits.
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Letter: Source of inequality is not economic
The truth of the collapse of a living-wage economy for working-class America is a social catastrophe and, increasingly, a severe embarrassment to free-market ideology.
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Letter: America following road to tyranny
Global elitists behind our government have methodically been guiding our government toward the New World Order.
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Letter: Let’s work through the problems
On May 14 I attended the county council meeting in hopes that I could understand what is happening in the legislative branch of our Madison County government. What I saw was politics at its worst and I cannot applaud either party.
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Letter: Columnist Brown ignores truth
It’s hard to understand why The Herald Bulletin carries columns by Susan Stamper Brown, who has such a blatant disregard for truth in her conservative propaganda.
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Letter: Taxpayers should thank the ‘few’
Are those who worry about the loss of the wheel tax concerned about the roads or about their jobs? Most of them could care less about people’s needs.
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Letter: Government officials should answer to us
We, the people, have allowed government officials to lead us into the crazy one world order. But, is it working? Well, look at the results.
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Viewpoint: Schools, volunteers reach out to pre-kindergartners, parents
On behalf of Born Learning Connection as service of the United Way of Madison County, I would like to thank all Madison County elementary schools for their generous support in making Blast Off to Kindergarten a countywide success.
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Letter: Public should have say on library space
