To the editor:

Expenditures by city departments have increased from $101 million to $146 million since 2002. This is a $45 million increase in just eight years. The planning department expenditures have grown by 35 percent, police by 38 percent, Fire & Medical by 43 percent and the city manager’s office is spending 87 percent more than they did in 2002.

Our city leaders are very capable when it comes to increasing expenditures; they just seem to lack the intestinal fortitude to cut back when there’s no money.

Why is it easier to reduce social programs that benefit children, the elderly, the homeless — in other words, the most vulnerable — when city departments have seen record increases in spending since 2002? You have to wonder why the city is considering cutting school crossing guards. They aren’t an extravagance. Is this the only expense the police department is being asked to cut? Shenanigans. Every department has waste. Isn’t this what the city auditor was hired to track down?

Commissioners, I urge you to take a page from the state and ask every city department to cut 2-3 percent from their budget. The general fund expenditures are projected at $66 million. Two percent across the board would save $1.3 million; 3 percent saves $2 million. Enact a hiring and wage freeze. Leave the children, sick, poor and homeless and all the other social services alone. Goodness knows we are all going to need a relaxing outdoor band concert this summer.

Laura Green,
Lawrence