In part 2 of our two-part report, the Yucca Valley Town Council heard some good news at its meeting Tuesday night about the budget. Thanks to the early retirement of six employees, the lay-offs of three others, and a one-time property tax settlement payment of $198,000 from the County, the Town’s budget went from a projected deficit of $388,000, to a projected surplus of $293,000. But the majority of the meeting was taken up by residents who pleaded with the Council not to close the swimming pool. Managing editor Tami Roleff was there and files this report…
“Please don’t close the museum or pool. Please don’t take away the Fourth of July fireworks or the summer concert.” Sarah Bartlett, 7, of Morongo Valley was just one of almost 40 people who pleaded with the Yucca Valley Town Council at its meeting Tuesday night, not to close the swimming pool after the high school swim team’s season ends. Speaker after speaker rose to talk about who benefits from having the pool: youngsters who learn to swim; students on the swim team who have gone on to swim competitively after high school; lifeguards who earn money for their college tuition; and residents with special needs. Some questioned the reasoning behind giving a raise to the Town manager while cutting services for Town residents. Council member Robert Lombardo’s suggestion that residents dig a little deeper into their pockets to support the programs they wanted—and putting his money where his mouth is by donating $500 for concerts in the park–was not well received by the audience. “If these things are important to you, you’re going to have to take money out of your pockets, and put it into your favorite things. If you don’t support your favorite activities, don’t be surprised if they disappear. I’m going to start right now with $500 for the concerts in the park. I put my money where my mouth is. Let’s see yours.” (Boos from audience.)
YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL HEARS FROM UNHAPPY RESIDENTS ON PROGRAM CUTS
