Recently, residents of the City of East Cleveland have expressed their outrage at City Council's decision to approve a 25% reduction in the police department. The reduction in funding resulted in the Mayor's execution of layoffs of police officers. In response to the outcry from residents, City Council explained that the reduction in funding was necessary because the city is in fiscal emergency and can't pay it's bills. However, a review of the approved temporary appropriations spread over the year shows that Council budget actually shows a $1 million+ surplus. \r
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In addition, Council further contradicts its reasoning by increasing its own budget twice. Within the past seven days, the Council President Joy Jordan sponsored legislation to increase appropriations $90,000 to increase legal fees to an attorney to continue litigation against the Mayor and to extend an agreement with a videographer who has been inconsistent with broadcasting Council meetings, which have been of poor quality.\r
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Council has also seen fit to reduce funding by 20% for the Helen S. Brown Center and the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. In a city whose youth and senior population are the most vulnerable, City Council has seen fit to approve a budget that places their needs in low priority.\r
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Despite the fact that revenue from fees and fines generated by law enforcement will be reduced; the Council did not reduce the Court budget. Once a financial drain on the city's general fund, the Court had become sufficient due to increased revenue from fines and improved operational efficiencies.\r
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East Clevelanders deserve open, transparent governance that is accountable to the citizens. Continued progress is dependent on an improvement in governance. I urge residents to get informed, ask questions demand that our priorities be placed above petty differences and self interests.\r
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