Recently we told you about the mayor’s apologetic letter to the city’s police and fire departments for cuts to their budgets due to an 'unhealthy' cash reserve. Mayor Townsell said,
Of course, I took hard line with any new expenses and the departmental budgets took a pounding. Fire Department had it new people gutted. Its new medical testing program was dropped as well as the paramedic effort and most capital. Police was also lost their six new officers, two new motor cycle cops and cycles, four of eight requested squad cars and four of six requested detective cars. That police total alone is right at a half a million dollars. CEOC's requested dispatchers were all cut. Overtime was trimmed to lower levels for the major departments and will have to be managed during the year by those departments. Planning and permits were left at current levels but they have need of more resources - people and otherwise. No new personnel changes were recommended this year. None! It was a budget that left a lot intact but crimped expansion.
Interesting to note is the CPD total cut from its requested budget is about the same amount of money the city will be out for the roundabout. But this will not be all the city will have to cough up to fund this dream plan for the Hendrix campus. More money will be tossed at this enormous project that will benefit mainly the school.
In September the Log cabin reported the next phase of the college's plan will be the construction a new Wellness and Athletics Center with a 400-meter cushioned track that will be lighted and include artificial turf infield.
Once again we see the Mayor and the city’s aldermen’s thirst for new development while ignoring the necessities of public safety and security. Not to mention the shear traffic headaches that this roundabout will cause as motorist find alternate routes around this pending debacle.
We have nothing against Hendrix College and its visions of expansion as long as it doesn’t adversely affect the everyday life of the people of Conway and Faulkner County. This project however does and needs to be presented to the public of a vote. Besides isn’t the city’s time and money better spent insuring the safety and security of all its citizens and not simply that of a select few? Kudos to Alderman Sandy Brewer and the others who voted against this project, although we don’t know who they are.
Note to LCD reporter Rob O’Connor, thanks for the apparent reading of this blog, its nice to see that one day after noting the lack in running a story about the 14% increase in sales tax revenue you seen fit to address that issue. Now if you could just print who votes for and against issues before the council, some of your readers might find this information important.
I say we make Alderman Brewer an honorary Black Dog for his efforts…
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