When do the people we elected in November of 2009 start standing up for us?  I have heard a lot of complaining and the pointing of fingers, but not any ideas or suggestions on how to stop the bleeding of our budget.  How about cutting salaries 10%, eliminating healthcare for part time employees, increasing employee contribution for benefits, finally admitting that right now is not the time to have a city run ambulance service, calling the unions back in to renegotiate their contracts , and eliminate jobs.  If this was a private business there would be all of the above and more.  We need strong leadership from the Mayor and council, not the blame game.  It is a tough job but every one of them campaigned that they were up for the challenge and so far the citizens of our great city are suffering.  The council consists of nine members, 4 new, and 5 with experience.  When does the experience start to show? 

Let’s try using MHA and Habitat for Humanity along with funds from the CBDG to renovate some of the vacant houses that we have so they can be put back on the tax roll.  There are plenty of ideas; our leaders just have to be willing to think outside the box instead of using a tax increase to solve our financial problems.  As citizens we should all try to be more involved and pick up the phone.  

Let your council person know how you feel, or attend the council meetings, the more people that get involved hopefully the more our leaders will listen to us when it is not election time.  We should hold them accountable their full term.

John Ingersoll, Utica