J. Cermak makes some very valid and salient points. Will we get anything he's asking for in the next city budget? I doubt it...and for what the City will tell you is a very good reason. They ain't got the money.

Of course they don't. The next City budget (according to a Star-Telegram headline)is going to be limited to just over $1 Billion dollars. That's a Billion with a B, folks. Or if it's easier for you to visualize, 1,000 Million. It can also be written as $1B or $1,000,000,000. No matter how you write, it ain't much money anymore. Any City leader will tell you that a Billion dollars just doesn't go very far!

Reminds me of Senator Everett Dirksen (Senator from Illinois about 20 or 30 years ago). He had a weekly radio show and one of his comments became quite well known. Talking about the Federal budget, he made a comment that said ''A million here and a million there and pretty soon you're talking about real money!''

Today, we would have to adjust the dollar amount upwards, but the statement would basically remain the same:
''A billion here and a billion there and pretty soon you're talking about real money!''

Mr. Moncrief's Reply

Dear Mr. Marmo,

It may not seem much to you, but I;m sure hoping the following words from Mayor Moncrief are words of substance:

Your council representative fought hard for those 2 issues today at the budget retreat and they have been included in the wish list for the council to consider. I suspect that there is council support for them and I will certainly support Mayor pro tem Hicks request.

Thank you for your thoughtful letter addressing your concerns.

Mike

I know Ms. Hicks is working hard on our behalf and every effort is being made to support our neighborhoods.

Perhaps, you can take this for some hope.

Mr. Moncrief's Reply

Dear Mr. Marmo,

It may not seem much to you, but I'm sure hoping the following words from Mayor Moncrief are words of substance:

Your council representative fought hard for those 2 issues today at the budget retreat and they have been included in the wish list for the council to consider. I suspect that there is council support for them and I will certainly support Mayor pro tem Hicks request.

Thank you for your thoughtful letter addressing your concerns.

Mike

I know Ms. Hicks is working hard on our behalf and every effort is being made to support our neighborhoods.

Perhaps, you can take this for some hope.

Ms. Hicks Reply

At the close of the budget meeting yesterday, close to 1 million was on the table to increase Code funding after much debate. Let's hope it stays in the budget!

Thinks are looking better!!!!