Are the budget cuts legal?
Sept. 6
I'm incensed. First, if councillors chose Monday as the least disruptive day to close 130 community centres, their research wasn't very thorough. Mondays are very busy at the four centres I attend, while Fridays are usually quiet.
If efforts are underway to switch the Toronto Seals to another location, why was our dance instructor told there would be no transferring of seniors' programs when he attempted to transfer our Monday class to another day?
Now, full-time staff will be paid to have Mondays off for three months and revenue will be lost from hundreds of seniors, who pay $18 for each class. How is that saving the city money? And part-timers will lose a dozen or more days' salary, which seems unfair.
Mayor David Miller says he was "very clear and transparent" about proposed budget cuts at the July meeting and not one councillor questioned it. I find it hard to believe that had they known one of the cuts involved Monday closures, they wouldn't have foreseen the backlash.
Okay, children's programs are affected. They don't vote, but their angry and frustrated parents do.
As for seniors, we are very conscientious about getting out to vote. And no, we will not have forgotten about this by the time Miller runs for another term.
Joan Chapman, Toronto
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