Two nights ago I spent more than three hours at a public hearing for the City of Cincinnati’s 2010 budget.  The Council has an impossible task on its hands – cut $51 million from an already tight budget.  Well over 100 citizens spoke about a wide variety of City services.  The folks dressed in green to support recycling and environmental issues were the most visible.  The parents with their children with special needs advocating to retain therapeutic recreation programs were the most moving.

I was there to support human services:  homeless shelters, services for victims of domestic violence, food for those who cannot afford food this holiday season or any season, and of course child care so that working parents can get and keep jobs.

What struck me on Tuesday was how respectful the members of Council were.  They sat through testimony which was, at turns, boring, thoughtful, repetitive, moving, rude and respectful right back.  While our current Council is extremely divided (four of the nine members are declining to participate in the negotiations) at least most of the members seemed to believe in the value of hearing from citizens. 

I wish them the best in getting to a balanced budget with the least harm to the City.  I also wish that they will fund human services at a time that people are most in need.