by KYW's Mike Dunn
Let the bashing begin: one week after Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter announced cuts to libraries, pools, and the fire department, some City Council members took turns urging him to rethink the plan.
City Council wrapped up its weekly meeting with a series of speeches by four members critical of Nutter's budget cutting axe. Among them was Curtis Jones:
"When you cut libraries, and you're trying to decrease the dropout rate by 50 percent, that is a short term solution which may cause a long term problem."
Councilman-at-large Jack Kelly complained about the reduction of fire engines and ladders:
"Our brave men and women cannot do their jobs properly without the proper tools at their disposal."
After a few such speeches, councilman-at-large Jim Kenney rose to Nutter's defense:
"Unlike the 1980s, no police officers and firefighters are being slated for layoffs, and I think it's extremely important that we recognize that fact."
Council also voted a resolution urging the mayor to study the impact of fewer fire engines. Firefighters' union boss Brian McBride was thrilled:
"It's important that Council recognizes the need for an independent, scientific study before they put the lives of firefighters in jeopardy."
In response, Mayor Nutter (in file photo at top) said he will share earlier research about fire redeployments with Council members. But he made no commitment to commission a new independent study.
Nutter announced the cuts last week to close an expected $100-million deficit in the current year.
Some council members, including Kenney, are taking voluntary five-percent pay cuts because of the budget crisis. Kelly said he couldn't commit to that because of personal financial problems.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
