So, at the risk of sounding like a loon. Where is our New Bedford city council on this whole local fiscal crisis situation?  Have they no opinions on the potential layoffs, do they not have a dog in this fight? Perhaps it’s easier to say nothing rather than to take a side here? I’m concerned that the same folks that gave Mayor Scott Lang his uncut budget two years ago are quick to say I told you so about his fiscal policy, but not so quick to discuss their thoughts or ideas on the layoffs and pay cuts that threaten our city services.
While I don’t claim to be a public policy genius, it seems to me that our government has forgotten to think of a way to give the city workers a chance to prepare for the hard times ahead.  Just saying that “hey things are going to get bad.” Isn’t enough for most people.
If our shortfall is only two or three million this year then why don’t we take immediate measures to save those city jobs for another eight months to a year.  These folks should be able to prepare better, search for work, declare an early retirement, or otherwise ready themselves for the tough times ahead. I for one would like to give them the opportunity, why not take some of “our” money in the stabilization fund and use it to give these folks some lead time.
Meanwhile, we need to prepare for the upcoming eight to twelve million dollar shortfalls we are likely to experience in the coming three to five fiscal years ahead.
Here is an opportunity to streamline departments, reorganize, and work out a deal with higher salaried employees to take a reasonable pay reduction for those making seventy to eighty thousand dollars a year and up. Oh and by all means please no raises for crying out loud; Let us right the ship first.

Our Neighborhoods United meeting was rampant with discussion on the whole layoff topic, but again no councilors were there to answer questions or set our minds at ease.