Financial Crisis
Originally published at Behind The Lens. You can comment here or there.
Last Thursday, I attended the final 2008 fiscal budget hearing for the City of Lakewood. When Mayor Ed FitzGerald took office in January, Lakewood was, and still is, faced with a $4 Million deficit. In order to address the budget, the possibility of cuts in city services is staring city officials and residents squarely in the face.
The tone of this final meeting, before City Council votes on the budget Monday, was tense. You can see the frustration on Council President Michael Dever’s face (center) as comment after comment is shouted from the near-capacity crowd, as possible cuts to Senior Services are discussed.
Aside from possible cuts to Senior Services, other possible cuts discussed were backyard garbage pickup, a hallmark service of living in densely-populated Lakewood.
Photo was shot for The Lakewood Observer.
2008 Lakewood Budget (PDF).
Council President Michael Dever’s letter regarding the budget (PDF).
The Lakewood Observer’s Dan Slife on the new budget.
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