I would like to set the record straight on the articles that have made the front page of The Herald-Argus recently regarding the 2011 city budget. There has been much discussion about the percentage of reductions in the police department budget versus the percentage of reductions in the fire department budget. One has nothing to do with the other.
Reductions have been made in every department in the city, and some more than others. Early this year discussions took place with each department head in preparation for the 2011 budget. Cuts were made based on those discussions. Those cuts were not weighed by percentage, but by what areas our city departments could absorb the cuts and still maintain an acceptable level of service.
No police officers have been cut. Let me repeat, no police officers have been cut. After discussions with the chief of police, it was decided that by dropping two to four civilian positions, we could strengthen the police department. This action immediately allowed for additional officers on the street and will free up funding in 2011 for even additional police hires. The fire department has no civilian positions.
My goal has always been that if cuts must be made, they be made without drastically reducing our services. To a great degree we have been able to do this through the efforts of the department heads and the city employees. This has been done by cutting spending to the absolute bare bone. The safety of our citizens has been foremost on my mind during these discussions and always will be.
There has been much discussion about the makeup of the Finance Committee. The mayor appoints the Finance Committee. Work of the Finance Committee is difficult and requires an ability to attend meetings and contribute. I chose members of the council who I believe would be available to attend the many meetings and would have positive and creative input.
The city has always operated within its budget. Under Indiana law, the city simply is not allowed to pass a budget that cannot be supported by tax revenue. The city’s budget is not the problem that we face; it is cash flow. LaPorte County’s inability to finalize the reassessment of 2006 and reconcile 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 taxing years has created tremendous cash flow problems for the City of LaPorte over the last four years.
These have been difficult times for the City of La Porte. Unfortunately, it is not over. But through it all we have worked together and continue to do so as a city united. I am very proud of our city employees and my hat goes off to each and every one of them.
It is truly a shame to see one city department pitted against another for the sake of headline news or grandstanding. Each and every department and all of our city employees have sacrificed much to get us through this rough time at no fault of our own. They are the most valuable asset to our city government and to the citizens of LaPorte. It is unfortunate that statements that are not supported with facts continue to fuel discussion for the sake of getting headlines.
– LaPorte Mayor Kathy Chroback
Goot Logwood — November 19, 2010 @ 8:21 am
I hope that everyone that reads this can see the holes in these comments. The removal of the two civilian positions means that the police station will be closed between 6 PM to 5 AM and adds no addtional patrols to the city. Because of the reduction in benefits and salary the LPPD can not hire new officers, so in all likelyhood the department could be down by 10-12 officers by the end of next year. Currently there are only 4 officers on shift for midnights and a closed station.
These are just a few issues I would have liked to cover in additional finance committee meetings, but was denied. As the Mayorial Appointed Chief of Police, Terry Scherer has said, “this is the Mayor’s Budget”. It represents a 5% cut to the Police Department over our 3 year term, while the Fire Department, who has one of its own on the finance committee and two on council, has only seen 1% during that same time. Fire also has 3 fully staffed with 10-12 firemen and open stations everynight in LaPorte.
It is for these reasons, and the conflict of interest therein, that departments are at odds with each other. In addition, I am not the one who has pitted them, it has been happening for sometime and is another priciple reason the LPPD cannot seem to retain well trained officers. I am simply the one bringing it to the public’s attention.
I have supported my position with facts repeatedly, yet when rebutted by the Mayor she give very little of her own while or half truths (i.e. removing two positions adds officers to the road) saying mine are wrong? As I said at Monday night’s meeting, “Let’s sit down at a finance committee meeting, so I can be corrected.” The Mayor wants no part of this, because my facts are correct. She will not change this budget, because she risks lossing two crucial votes on the council that are also city fireman.
It is not easy being in my position watching these events unfold, but I would not be a good steward of those who elected me to not address these issues and let them occur quietly right under everyone’s nose. In addition, my ethics would be as equally low if I were to witness these events and then stay silent. In other words, the Mayor has tried to shame me by name calling and misleading statements for being open and honest with the public while her and her cronies are honestly the oneslacking in ethics.
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