Public safety has been reduced

While I appreciate the general subject matter in the recent article, “Belt-tightening continues in Everett mayor’s budget,” on the financial hardships met and dealt with by local municipalities, I do not appreciate the half-truth manner in which Mayor Ray Stephanson states he’ll be doing that very same thing. Everett has not been hit with the same level of difficulty that surrounding areas have, evidenced by the extensive eight figure rainy day fund currently held in city coffers. But what those same suffering surrounding areas have going for them is quite simply: Honesty. Our beloved mayor has said that none of the staffing cuts involved public safety positions. Don’t believe it. The Everett Police Department and Everett Fire Department are both down in excess of 10 people from their normal staffing levels.

I’d like to remind everyone that is currently paying the mentioned 50 cents per thousand EMS levy rate, you are not getting what you were promised when you voted yes for this levy. You were promised a level of service in that levy literature a few years back, which diminished almost immediately. In the years since then it has only gotten worse.

Stay diligent folks. Ray and his minions are not to be trusted.

Hank Sartori

Everett