Plan C from Philadelphia
Not to be confused with Plan 9 from Outer Space, this is the proposal by the City of Tough Brotherly Love if some budget relief from Harrisburg isn’t forthcoming.
Anticipating yet another week of uncertainty in Harrisburg, Mayor [Michael] Nutter yesterday held a two-hour open meeting with more than 30 top city officials who outlined the impact, department by department, of a contingency budget that the administration continues to work on.
That budget, known as Plan C, would reduce spending by that same $700 million over the next five years by, among other measures, closing every library and recreation center and eliminating 3,000 city jobs, including nearly 1,000 in the Police Department.
There was disagreement at the meeting over whether the actions would be temporary or permanent.
Either way, said Mayor Nutter, “I think the people of Philadelphia are increasingly getting pissed off about this entire situation.”
Meanwhile, the Free Library of Philadelphia has posted its closing notice:
We deeply regret to inform you that without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg, the City of Philadelphia will not have the funds to operate our neighborhood branch libraries, regional libraries, or the Parkway Central Library after October 2, 2009.
Specifically, the following will take effect after the close of business, October 2, 2009:
- All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled.
- All Parkway Central Library programs, including children programs, programs to support small businesses and job seekers, computer classes and after school programs, will be cancelled. We are exploring the possibility of relocating the Philadelphia Author Series programs to other non-library facilities.
- All library visits to schools, day care centers, senior centers and other community centers will cease.
- All community meetings at our branch and regional libraries, and the Parkway Central Library, will be cancelled.
- All GED, ABE and ESL programs held at Free Library branches will be discontinued, students should contact their teacher to see if other arrangements are being made.
In addition, all library materials will be due on October 1, 2009. This will result in a diminishing borrowing period for books and other library materials, beginning September 11, 2009. No library materials will be able to be borrowed after September 30, 2009.
No wonder they’re pissed off.
Meanwhile, Governor Ed Wood Rendell says he’s not happy with a proposed budget deal:
“They made their numbers work on paper, but the numbers won’t work in the real world,” Gov. Ed Rendell said today of the budget agreement reached Friday by Senate Republicans and House Democrats.
Rendell said he will not sign the budget compromise if it reaches his desk.
“Future events such as these,” warned Criswell, “will affect you in the future.”
(Via Marc Parent.)
Brian J. »
14 September 2009 · 5:58 am
Meanwhile, the 30 top city officials will have to remain fully employed to consider further cuts. And paid well, too, because you have to pay well for quality leadership.
CGHill »
19 September 2009 · 11:55 am
Indeed. As seen at Cranky Epistles:
Which is actually one of the kinder things she said.