[Source: Connie Cone Sexton Arizona Republic] — Members of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board hope to show their passion for a good cause dear to them. At stake: the fate of the city department they represent, a department facing dire budget cuts. To lessen the cuts, board members suggest:
- Trimming the Public Safety Department budget by an additional 1% (under the current proposal, police and fire leaders each would cut an estimated 7.5% of their operating budgets).
- Creating a sales tax on groceries.
- Enlisting community leaders to encourage philanthropy.
To get their message across, members are showing up at each of the 14 meetings scheduled to let the community share concerns about upcoming city budget cuts. The meetings began Tuesday and will conclude Jan. 27. Board chairwoman Diana Brooks said the meetings are a chance for members to do what they can to speak up for the Parks and Recreation Department and perhaps lessen the proposed cuts. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Downtown Voices Coalition 