Heartfelt pleas from audience members were once again heard from during yesterday’s special budget hearing in the City Council chambers, as residents asked for help in saving their favorite community programs from being cut. 

The issues at hand yesterday were senior programs, the Police Athletic League, and rangers that patrol the city’s parks.  Many residents brought signs that they proudly displayed from their seats, advocating these causes and others – including the effort to save the Main Library, which was not discussed yesterday because it does not fall under Parks & Recreation.  All of the proposed cuts to the department worried Councilman Dee Andrews.

“Out of a budget of $25 million, all the cuts seem to come from recreation,” he said.  Total cuts to the Parks and Recreation Department represent a 2% reduction in the total budget.

City officials discussed various strategies for keeping these programs alive, while still being able to cut costs in order to balance a budget faced with a $16.9 million deficit.  To the delight of seniors in the audience, the Friendly Cup Café will remain open at the Long Beach Senior Center.  But it may not be that easy for PAL or the Park Rangers.

Many audience members pleaded with officials for their help in saving PAL, most notably the West facility that runs the boxing program.  The proposed budget suggested that the program be cut because the seven police officers that run the activities could instantly be put onto the street, saving money and increasing the police force at once.  But the backlash has forced all involved to reconsider.

Now, City Manager West explains that the Boys & Girls Club may take control of the North PAL facility in order to keep it alive.  The city would still need to pay the $360,000 yearly lease, but those officers would be able to return to patrol.  Another option is sub-leasing the property, which would eliminate the Boys & Girls Club possibility but would allow the City to put the $360,000 into Parks & Recreation rather than PAL.  The suggestion was also made to approach the PAL Foundation about sponsoring the program itself, and using retired officers or volunteers to run the West facility and its boxing program.  It will be discussed further at a later meeting.

The budget also proposed eliminating four of nine Park Rangers from their city patrols, and locating the remaining rangers in El Dorado Park because it receives the most activity.  But City Councilmembers had a hard time denying all other parks in the city protection provided by rangers.

“Everythig I read in the budget book is about the Westside’s needs when it comes to safety,” said First District Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal.  “So I would like to see the Park Rangers spread across the city.”

The two-hour meeting had to be cut short because there was simply not enough time to hear from City Manager Pat West, Parks & Recreation Director Phil Hester, City Councilmembers and members of the audience.  Mayor Foster promised to do whatever necessary to provide ample time for the issues, even proposing a possible Thursday night session.

“We’ll be here all night if we need to,” he said.

By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor