Dear Editor:
As chairman of the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, I feel compelled to comment on council members Marsh and Soares’ decision to criticize and vote against the 2003 municipal budget.
I firmly believe in inclusion and teamwork; that is why I insisted that we hold a series of budget workshops with groups of council members on days and times it would be convenient for everyone. The purpose was to hear the comments of each council member and develop a spending plan through consensus.
At these workshops, Ms. Marsh and Mr. Soares not once objected to our course of action nor did they offer constructive criticism. They did not suggest spending cuts or re-appropriations, and there was plenty of time to do so. Council members voted to introduce this budget in late August and were given ample time to review and critique the document.
Therefore, I was very disappointed to hear the two utter their first criticism and complete opposition to the spending plan when it came time to vote, almost five months after the budget was introduced. It seems obvious that this was an opportune moment for them to seek the spotlight in a packed council chamber and further a new political agenda which they share.
I do not regret my inclusion of the two council members in a constructive dialogue to meet a common goal. I do regret that they were not forthcoming in informing me and their colleagues that they had no intention to be part of a team.
Chris Campos
Fourth Ward Councilman