Explains vote

Editor,

I read a letter to the editor from Mr. Igoldsby suggesting I “sabotaged” a city of Lindsay parking lot renovation project. I would like to clarify my position on that issue.

I would love to see that parking lot repaired. However, the project is set to cost us over $219,000 and will be funded using borrowed money. With our current financial situation of massive debt, lack of reserve funds and our history of cash shortages, I believe we are in no position to incur more debt to our residents. Whether the city of Lindsay or the Lindsay Hospital District is making the payments on the loan, the community does not need more debt.

Also, I believe it is a stretch to justify the Hospital District subsidizing city parking lot repairs. This is similar to other questionable city practices that got us into the mess we are in today.

I do not think it is sabotage to ask our city council and staff to not just talk about being fiscally responsible and help our city to recover, but to actually start doing it.

My position is simple: Let’s stop living off borrowed money and if we do not have the cash for it and it is not an emergency, then we can wait to do it. Let’s cut costs, get our debt down and put our city in a position to put more of our tax dollars into services and less into interest payments.  

Steven Mecum
Lindsay City Councilman