HomeMy WebLinkAbout120625 email - The county budgetALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear all,
You face a major challenge. Cut funds for the Community Center, that vital and indispensible center of activity in Uptown that caters to the needs of all segments of the community, from
young children to older adults; security at the Courthouse, where someone was just arrested and sentenced for robbery and where gun violence is an increasing threat during a time of
accelerating polarization; or officers in the Sheriff’s Department, which is equally essential to public safety. This is not fun.
I watched in Oakland as the same thing happened. 1/3 of the budget went to public safety, yet people were not safe. Thankfully, we have a very different situation here. But given what’s
coming down, as well as the increase in population, we cannot cut funds for officers. As the Co-Convener of Oakland’s Community Policing Task Force and a member of the Community Policing
Advisory Board, appointed by the Mayor, I know enough about policing to know what’s essential. (Of course, in Oakland, elimination of the police Old Boys Network and corruption was
equally essential. Hopefully there’s far less of that here).
Instead, I suggest scrutinizing every single department for waste. I’m sure some nips and tucks are possible.
Whatever you do, please do not cut funds for the Community Center. Those cuts will be felt all over the community. One of the first public meetings I ever attended was held there. So
were the forums of the League of Women Voters until they went online. I heard Emily Randall speak there, and attended multiple city presentations and political events. Most recently,
I attended the holiday crafts fair which occupied all three floors. The place is indispensible. It brings people to Uptown. If it closes, the ramifications will be far and wide. That
includes to the health and well-being of children and seniors.
Thanks for listening,
jason
—
Jason Victor Serinus
(He/his, they/their or Jason/Jason Victor)
http://www.jasonserinus.com
• Senior Contributing Editor, Stereophile
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