State, Economy Share Blame in Budget Woes

Hannah Hauxwell’s argument (Letters, April 25) that the West Hollywood City Council is to blame for the existing budget problems is misguided. Her contention that the City Council is the guilty party and not the state is based upon the faulty assumption that the state is blameless.

Hauxwell argues that the city’s position is analogous to hers. By comparison, she asserts that if she overspends on her credit cards, she is the one to blame and not the credit card companies.

While that statement may be true, the comparison is flawed. Generally it is known that the 1990 Census indicated a reduction in the city’s population since incorporation in 1984. Funds to the city from state and federal sources were allocated on the original census estimate until the 1990 Census was completed. Therefore a proper analysis should have been based upon a reduction in income and not an increase in spending.

In discussing examples of waste, Hauxwell notes that council member Abbe Land’s deputy earns $45,000 per year. However, she conveniently ignores the fact that council members only earn approximately $400 per month for their positions. Considering the countless hours council members give to the city, the $45,000 for their full-time staff along with the council member’s $4,800 per year is a bargain.

Hauxwell additionally argues that Ms. Land “is out of touch with reality.” But Hauxwell ignores reality herself. This year, along with the drop in city funding due to the population decline, the state has reduced the city’s share of property tax revenue.

In a city of a little over 36,000 residents, we have over 4,000 poverty stricken residents. It is also disheartening to know that 20% of our children go to bed nightly living in poverty. What should the city do--eliminate its outstanding social service programs so that we become an elitist community? Would Ms. Hauxwell prefer us to be like some of the surrounding cities who ignore the problems of the impoverished?

The real enemy is the Southern California recession. Until that is resolved on a regional level, council members from cities throughout the Southland have an almost insurmountable obstacle to overcome.

It is very easy to complain. It takes courage to work on getting a city through a regional financial crisis. What we need are suggestions and not attacks without offering any real solutions.

KEVIN NOTRE

West Hollywood

Monica, 90401.