How can you propose adding to the tax burden when the economy is struggling and the city is forced to make budget cuts across the board?
Simply: it’s now or never. Two of the city’s four municipal pools are scheduled to close permanently in the next year. Willard Pool, which is decaying and decrepit, is scheduled to close in July, 2010 [update — its last day was June 30], and the indoor Warm Pool — which serves seniors, disabled adults and children — will be demolished in late 2011 or early 2012. Because of the recession and worsening budget cuts, the city has no money in its General Fund to repair and fully operate the pools. This budget crisis is expected to get tighter in future years, which means additional budget cuts will put further pressure on the two remaining pools, at King and West Campus. Only through Measure C can the funds be raised to rebuild the pools and keep them operating during tight economic times in years ahead.
