Management issue apparent

Published 12:01 am Thursday, October 20, 2011

Two recent occurrences have caused me to question my assumption that the City of Edmonds has budget problems common to all municipalities during this “economic downturn.” Both occurrences make me wonder if we don’t have a management problem that has either created or exacerbated our city’s budget problem.

First, we appear to be paying “parking enforcement officers” to ticket vehicles with parking permits. This not only is a waste to police resources, it also wastes our tax dollars when the ticket is then challenged in municipal court.

Second, in an attempt to improve public safety, the city has created additional risk of injury and financial loss. Construction (of the needed extension of the sidewalk on the West side of Sunset Avenue) is forcing residents to step over open trenches, concrete forms, and uneven, loose dirt to get to their apartments. One would think a plywood bridge would be the least the city could do to protect its citizens and avoid financial losses.

Can we afford this type of management?

Eric Sonett
Edmonds