Suburbs nibble at services to get by
Some lament loss of little things that make cities special
Monday, December 15, 2008 3:12 AM
By Dean Narciso, Elizabeth Gibson and Jim Woods
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Bexley is using less salt on slippery streets and considering a surcharge on late-night sewer emergencies.
Worthington has cut funding for school crossing guards and asked why it needs drinking fountains at city parks and replacement trees for those lost to an Asian beetle.
Upper Arlington has stopped picking up people's garbage at their back door for no extra charge. Pickerington won't have fireworks.
The hallmark of a city is often its level of service, but when budgets get tight, officials have to weigh the little things that make a city distinct.
That worries Worthington City Councilman Robert Chosy.
''In my view, it erodes the essence of Worthington,'' said Chosy, a resident since the 1960s. ''As we whittle those things down, it takes away from the character of our town.
''When I look at other council members trying to cut, I understand them conceptually,'' Chosy said. ''But in general, I don't want to cut those things that make our community successful. I just don't understand the time and the fussing about it.''
The city will save about $50,000 a year by not paying for school crossing guards, something it has done for decades. Not replacing all trees on city property could save another $20,000.
Councilman David Norstrom is frustrated that traditional services often aren't questioned.
''I'm not trying to get rid of tradition,'' said Norstrom, a 22-year resident of the city. ''But simply because we've done it in a certain way doesn't mean that we have to continue to do it in that way. Let's challenge ourselves.''
Norstrom has proposed that not all trees lost to the emerald ash borer be replaced and that broken drinking fountains at parks be removed, not fixed, as a way to save money.
These days, people often carry their own bottled water when they're using the parks, he said. ''Do we really need water fountains in today's day and age? When we build something, we have to maintain it.''
City Council members in Bexley are raising questions as well, although they're not ready to start lopping off services to which residents have become accustomed.
Service Director Bill Harvey was told to look for creative ways to help the city tackle a tough budget year. He has offered suggestions but said it really comes down to what the council members are willing to let go of.
The city, for instance, could charge people to haul away their leaves or repair their sewers after regular hours if it turns out the resident is at fault. That could save the city overtime expenses, Harvey said.
''I have to find someone and drag them out of bed at 2 o'clock in the morning, and then 90 percent of the time, it's not a city problem; it's the resident's fault,'' he said.
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Some lament loss of little things that make cities special
Monday, December 15, 2008 3:12 AM
By Dean Narciso, Elizabeth Gibson and Jim Woods
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Bexley is using less salt on slippery streets and considering a surcharge on late-night sewer emergencies.
Worthington has cut funding for school crossing guards and asked why it needs drinking fountains at city parks and replacement trees for those lost to an Asian beetle.
Upper Arlington has stopped picking up people's garbage at their back door for no extra charge. Pickerington won't have fireworks.
The hallmark of a city is often its level of service, but when budgets get tight, officials have to weigh the little things that make a city distinct.
That worries Worthington City Councilman Robert Chosy.
''In my view, it erodes the essence of Worthington,'' said Chosy, a resident since the 1960s. ''As we whittle those things down, it takes away from the character of our town.
''When I look at other council members trying to cut, I understand them conceptually,'' Chosy said. ''But in general, I don't want to cut those things that make our community successful. I just don't understand the time and the fussing about it.''
The city will save about $50,000 a year by not paying for school crossing guards, something it has done for decades. Not replacing all trees on city property could save another $20,000.
Councilman David Norstrom is frustrated that traditional services often aren't questioned.
''I'm not trying to get rid of tradition,'' said Norstrom, a 22-year resident of the city. ''But simply because we've done it in a certain way doesn't mean that we have to continue to do it in that way. Let's challenge ourselves.''
Norstrom has proposed that not all trees lost to the emerald ash borer be replaced and that broken drinking fountains at parks be removed, not fixed, as a way to save money.
These days, people often carry their own bottled water when they're using the parks, he said. ''Do we really need water fountains in today's day and age? When we build something, we have to maintain it.''
City Council members in Bexley are raising questions as well, although they're not ready to start lopping off services to which residents have become accustomed.
Service Director Bill Harvey was told to look for creative ways to help the city tackle a tough budget year. He has offered suggestions but said it really comes down to what the council members are willing to let go of.
The city, for instance, could charge people to haul away their leaves or repair their sewers after regular hours if it turns out the resident is at fault. That could save the city overtime expenses, Harvey said.
''I have to find someone and drag them out of bed at 2 o'clock in the morning, and then 90 percent of the time, it's not a city problem; it's the resident's fault,'' he said.
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