The people speak
And they're not happy.
Here are some quotes from the public comment portion of Tuesday night's City Council meeting. The public spoke before the council authorized 55 layoffs and other budget cuts.
No layoffs were approved for Police and Fire, but Animal Control, Code Enforcement, Development Services, Facilities Management, Information Technology, Library, Parks Recreation and Community Services and Public Services are all slated to lose personnel.
The quotes are presented in the order the speakers approached the council. Not all speakers are included.
- A man who identified himself as an SBPD detective said he was concerned that when police layoffs and bumping was on the table, all detectives who investigated crimes against children would have been bumped down from SBPD's detective bureau. The man said these detectives were investigated Mike Miller, the former Operation Phoenix center director who was arrested on suspicion of child molestation in July.
"Perhaps it's coincidental, but even if it is, I don't think it sends the right message," the man said.
- Marci Atkins, an SBPD officer who is best known in the news for her work with the city's homeless, voiced her disappointment that that elected officials did not spend more time trying to avert cutbacks.
"Why didn't any of you work tirelessly months ago?," she asked. "Not one time have we ever been given the truth."
Police Sgt. Shauna Bragg spoke to the hit morale has taken in recent weeks.
"I have to look at grown men and women who carry guns for a living cry because they want to work here," she said.
A young woman who was worried about cuts to the Center for Individual Development related how the facility's heated pool was instrumental in relieving her fibromyalgia-related pain.
"Before I discovered the CID I was housebound and almost bed-ridden for three years," she said.
The CID had several supporters. Here is another woman's voice:
"Ever since I've gotten involved with it, I've seen an improvement in my health," she said. "My cholesterol was so I high, I was about to stroke out, according to my doctor."
Steve Rouchleau, a Parks employee, maintained that the anticipated cost savings associated with outsourcing maintenance duties to contractors will not be achieved.
"During my tenure, we've seen contractors come and go. It's always been the full-time employees called upon to clean up after them," he said. "When contractors make a repair, they will do it the easiest way, with the cheapest parts and charge the full price."
Charles Greenwood, a Public Services employee who often attends council meetings expressed his dissatisfaction with SB's politicos.
"This city could be great ... but guess what it's going to take? Leadership. Real leadership. You guys aren't sleeping at the switch. You're snoring at the switch."
Alex Avila, a community activist called the budget cuts "immoral" and said elected officials voting for layoffs deserve to lose their posts in return.
"We should be questioning your position," he said. "We should be talking about whether you should keep your job."
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
I just cant believe whats going on in this city. Everyone out there stay stong and look to God for strength for this is a call to look to him and seek his help. These corrupt fake political leaders will reap what they sow I believe strongly in that. Just remember 7 Million dollars went to that bogus Operation Phoneix and probably some of that money was stolen by that criminal mayor and that crooked police cheif and their posse. Just remember to stay involved in the community and keep an eye on whats going on out there since these children they call leaders cant lead but have to be babysat. Remember God first.
Where is the measure Z money? Pat isn't getting my vote next time around.
I truly feel for everyone in the City of San Bernardino. It's true, the majority of us are feeling the effects of the economy. However, there are many, many cities in the Inland Empire that made smart business choices, some even have a budget surplus. You make me sick to my stomach, Pat Morris. I have known you (and your son) for a long time. I watched you as a Judge and your attempts to rehab drug users...what a joke, just like your Operation Phoenix. YOU WILL NOT GET MY VOTE THIS YEAR. Come to think of it, I didn't vote for you the first time.
Getting ready everyone, our city is about to blow up and I don't mean in a good way.
I've been in Morris's drug court on more than one occasion and let me tell you it was depressing. You risk you life to catch some drug dealer and Morris would try to find some way to let him off. He seemed to feel that his job was to save their souls and it made him feel good. Too bad for the citizens who then had to worry about being robbed and burglarized by the thugs who walked out smiling at you.
You bet I'm gonna speak. As a wife of a police officer, I can't tell you how disgusted I am with the Chief and his administration. For all of those that don't know, the only officers taking possible cuts will be the following: Sergeants, Detectives and Police Officers. The following will not be taking cuts: Lieutenants, Captains, the Assistant Chief and of course the tainted Chief himself. Morale at the dept. is HORRIBLE. Anyway, yeah, Captain Henson, you remember the one who decided to soak everyone's shoes because he didn't like them in the locker room? He wasn't even reprimanded for that. His punishment was reimbursing those whose shoes he destroyed. Can you believe that? This is how screwed up SBPD is. So you can't blame the officers for what some of you are calling "whining and crying". You have no idea what goes on in that department. It's truly a sad situation. I can't remember the day my husband was actually excited to be a part of SBPD. Hopefully that will change soon...as soon as some of the admin leave!
I totally agree with the comments by Anna.The rank and file officers have been shown the ugly truth when it comes to the leadership of the SBPD. All officers from this point forward should follow the Chief's example and just look out for "ol number one". Try to do everything in your power to pad your retirement and get promoted because thats all that really matters. Regarding the infamous Capt Henson, you would think that he would get demoted or at the very least repremanded but I suspect he was just following orders from his boss Kimball. Its all sad really