Mayor (Peterson) Announces $33M in Cuts

[hippiechick]

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3536589&nav=0Ra6bawX

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson has announced $33 million in budget cuts. Most of those cuts are in the police and fire departments.

Many of the cuts have already taken effect because dozens of openings on the police and fire departments won't be filled.

The mayor's budget fix, however, includes no layoffs. Some 78 departed or departing police officers won't be replaced and 44 firefighters will be cut through attrition.

"Through 2005 and 2006 we will have a reduction in the police department of 78 officers and a reduction in the fire department of 44 firefighters. We are not going to replace them. So we have been able to stop from going forward any recruit classes in police and fire and as a result of that we will allow that natural attrition to take place. That is where most of the savings that I'm here to announce will come from. Our police department will be 78 officers smaller, our fire department 44 firefighters fewer at the end of 2006," said Peterson.

more ...

Interesting that he's taking this tack with it -- laying it at Mitch's doorstep, essentially, saying "Hey folks, if you want these services, well ... talk to the peeps that have the money ... namely, the Legislature and the Governor -- who can approve my IndyWorks plan & get your cops back". Bart's got some savvy. Still not sure if I like him, but he's got some savvy.

[jean]

1. Nice head's up for Indianapolis visitors: In the event of fire, theft or

crime waves, the city (and many others similarly ripped free of cumbersome basic services) may be unable to help or save you and your family. AAA and other travel services would do well to advise customers on this stuff - remind them to avoid risky areas or arrive prepared.

[Fritz67]

2. But remember...

All of this is A-OK because they're gonna have the money to build the Colts a new stadium!!!

[salin]

4. interesting priorities... but sadly, I believe the two issues

are funded from completey different sources so it isn't as if $$ could be moved. And more sadly is that it appears that the legislators (and mitch) think folks are willing to do consumption tax (hotel and rest.) to pay for a sparkly new stadium (and where will it be located?) but NOT for adequate staffing for police and fire services.

[salin]

3. I like Peterson

very, very smart. Thinks like a policy person. Centrist, but with left leaning (barely - but a big difference compared to bayhs right leaning centrist) tendencies. Best contemporary Mayor of Indy - and has better prospects than any other dem for state wide office. I would take him over Roemer (for statewide) any day.

We are years away from having a true progressive running the city (or for statewide office) - but Peterson with great politcal savvy, and some real decency as a person, is better than most in the pipeline. Heck - I think he is far, far better than the former dem Mayor of "Progressive" Bloomington - Mayor Fernandez. And in Indiana politics one has to think in relative terms (sadly.)