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Covering Monmouth, Dallas, Independence and Falls City since 1868 |
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| 4/30 Editorials |
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| *Dallas faces tough
budget decisions* May primary election
worthy of your time |
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Dallas faces tough
budget decisions
Tough economic times usually hit everyone in the pocketbook ... and the city of Dallas is no exception to the need for belt tightening.
Dallas City Manager Jerry Wyatt last week unveiled his proposed city budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, and it recommends cutting the equivalent of five full-time staff positions.
One of those recommended cuts - eliminating the recreation activities coordinator position which oversees the popular Dallas Community Activities program - is proving unpopular with some area residents.
That cut would affect children, adults and seniors in Dallas who participate in a variety of activities, including after-school programs for students, fitness and dance classes for adults, and several events at the senior center. Although the program itself wouldn't be eliminated, the proposed cuts would mean a reduction in services available through the program.
Other proposed cuts recommended in the budget include eliminating a building inspector position, an industrial redevelopment position, the library director position, and summer help for the parks department.
The Dallas Budget Committee is just beginning to digest the 145-page proposed budget document submitted to it. The committee will closely look at the recommendations, likely make a few suggestions of its own, then return for feedback during two public hearings scheduled Monday, May 19, at 8:30 p.m., and Monday, June 2, at 7:45 p.m. Both meetings are scheduled at City Hall.
Those hearings provide an opportunity for local residents to share their concerns about the cuts and offer opinions of their own.
But simply demanding the reinstatement of any of the positions recommended to be cut doesn't address the issue at hand. City expenses are up, revenue is down, and something must be done to keep the budget in balance. Residents who believe that any of these positions should be city funding priorities must be willing to give up something else. Are you willing to accept cuts in police services? Reduced levels of maintenance in your city parks? Pot holes left unfilled on local streets? Those are the types of questions, priorities and decisions that must be established during the budget process.
Any suggestions?
* * *
May primary election
worthy of your time
Ballots will begin arriving in mail boxes as early as this weekend for the May 20 vote-by-mail primary election in Oregon. The first mass mailing of ballots for most Oregonians goes out Friday.
If you feel that this election seems to lack a little oomph, you're not alone.
A majority of the primary races locally and statewide are uncontested. The three state ballot measures are noncontroversial and have received little attention. And most of the contested races, including those locally, have had a civil tone to their nature.
But this election is important on a number of fronts and worthy of your attention.
Registered Democrats in Polk County will apparently have a say in who their party's presidential nomination is as Hillary and Barack continue to tangle at the polls. The Democratic race to determine who challenges Republican Gordon Smith for his U.S. Senate seat this fall is heating up. Interest locally is high among Republicans and Democrats as voters determine their party's nomination for the 5th U.S. Congressional District seat being vacated by Darlene Hooley. Polk County voters will have multiple candidates to choose from in the Oregon House District 23 primary. Oh, and let's not forget about the highly publicized three-way race for Polk County District Attorney.
Lacking oomph? That's up for debate. Lacking importance? Not a chance.
Whether the election has you as excited as a child on Christmas morning or as bored as a patient who has waited for 30 minutes at the doctor's office, your vote matters. Do your part to play a role in what makes America great - the democratic process. Complete your ballot and don't forget to return it in plenty of time to meet the May 20 deadline. |
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