(http://tinyurl.com/ydekscgc)
I hadn't read this in detail, but I saw this quote today: "The mayor said the
city already spends three times more money on police and fire services than on
recreation centers and libraries." That statement illustrates Mayor Carter's
philosophy, yet seems ludicrous. Police and fire services require as much money
as required to perform them. "Recreation centers" and libraries are optional. I
expect howls of outrage about the importance of libraries, and while I fully
recognize the value of libraries, I don't think the investment should be
treated on a par with Police and Fire.
Mayor Carter suggests that Chief Axtell's 'philosophy' is "...more police
officers, tougher prosecutors and bigger jails equal a safer city..." which I
think is dismissive of Chief Axtell. What if Mayor Carter fought growth in
other city departments - like "more librarians do not equal better literacy" or
"more educators...do not equal better education"? Those are as true as his
actual statement.