Regarding the Saturday article “Sultan in red; may cut library”:

I understand Sultan city government has some hard choices ahead. I know that no matter what choice is made, someone will be unhappy and/or inconvenienced. I would advise that the city leaders choose carefully. In the Herald article, the following options were mentioned: turning off street lights, stop maintaining city parks and eliminating animal and code enforcement officers. I would recommend against all of these options. Each of these options would affect the safety and security of the citizens of Sultan.

There have been numerous studies to show that the mere appearance of an unkempt or neglected area will increase crime in that area. To do this at a time when finances are adversely affecting your police department’s ability to operate is equal to giving criminals a free pass to come to your town and do as they please. Additionally, youth in Sultan have repeatedly stated that there is nothing for them to do in town. Shutting down the library would take one more option away from them.

Hard choices have to be made, but public safety is the primary function of government and anything that adversely affects this should be a last resort. I urge the city to move in another direction before the unintended consequences of their decisions are tragically felt.

Steve Haley

Everett