All- I just had this forwarded to me by a friend.

I just heard that the Detroit City Council is cutting the General Services Deparment's budget by over $9,000,000. If this happens they will have to lay off all their spring/summer grass cutters and people who pick up trash in the parks. IF they have to lay off all these people they will have to close over 100 parks [[they will have only a few full time staff left). I asked what "closed" meant and I was told they will have no one to cut the grass or pick up the trash! They will also have to target for closure some of the larger harder to maintain parks including Rouge Park, Palmer Park, Farwell. I was told that a final decision has not been made on which parks - but I don't think we can afford to not mow any parks. We have to keep our City looking clean and high grass and weeds is not clean. Apparently they also have to cut the money out of their budget for mowing vacant lots - meaning no vacant lots will get mowed startig in July!


Additionally they would have to lay off over 40 mechanics [[out of 90 mechanics) who repair city wide vehicles including Fire, Police, DPW trucks and other equipment, which will result in slower services to the citizens and response times. I think we all realize the City is in tough financial straights - but to cut money that is a core service seems unbelieavable to me. If the vacant lots aren't cut and the parks aren't cut it is going to look terrible around here and just invite criminal activity.

Call City Council members ask them to reconsider this cut. Also attend the public hearing at 10 am on Tuesday May 25th in City Council Chambers and/or the evening session starting at 7 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at VanDyke and Mack on Tuesday as well. Your voice can and needs to be heard at these meetings. Or call [[see below) Thank you everyone!

Charlies Pugh, 224-4510
Gary Brown, 224-2450
Sauntelle Jenkins, 224-4248
Ken Cockrel, 224-4505
Brenda Jones, 224-1245
Andre Spivey, 224-4841
James Tate, 224-1027
Kwame Kenyatta, 224-1198
Joann Watson, 224-4535