Council candidates square off on Danville budget

During a City Council candidate forum at the Danville YWCA Wednesday night, the candidates responded to a previous proposal made by the Rev. Thomas Motley to cut all city departments by 10 percent.

Motley, one of the five candidates running this year for four seats on council, made the suggestion at a previous forum held by the Ministerial Alliance.

Motley confirmed during the YWCA forum that he feels it is time to “trim any waste” in the city budget, put all capital improvement projects on hold and have all city departments audited.

Adam Tomer said all city departments are audited every year, and pointed out that an across-the-board cut would mean programs, staff and services would be cut. He said he is not willing to approve any layoffs.

“When people call 911, they want to know the police will come,” Tomer said. “We would have to cut programs or raise taxes; I’m not willing to do either.”

John Gilstrap pointed out the candidates had already said they wanted more money for education, youth activities, a domestic violence shelter and to reduce utility fees.

He said an across-the-board cut would decrease funding for current projects rather than support new projects.

“I think every dollar should be spent wisely,” Gilstrap said. “I’m not willing to say reduce the budget by 10 percent.”

Alonzo Jones noted city employees have not had raises in two years and he would like to see money found to give them one — not cut them by 10 percent.

Dr. Gary Miller said he is appalled that the city employees have not had raises.

“We promised not to cut their jobs, but they would get not raises,” Miller said.

Miller also pointed out the fire station on Bridge Street is old and crumbling, and needs to be replaced. That capital improvement project, and purchasing land for it, has his full support, Miller said.

The candidates were also asked if they would support building a public swimming pool in Danville.

Miller said he advocates everyone learning to swim, and feels it would be a good project. However, funding such a project would be a community effort with budgets expected to be tight for the next couple of years.

Jones said he would like to see the project go a step further and develop a water park so people didn’t have to drive to Greensboro, N.C. — but he also said funding is an issue.

Gilstrap noted it is another issue that has to be prioritized.

“Those who know me know I’ve called for a public swimming pool for 35 years,” Gilstrap said. “And I agree with Alonzo — a public pool would never cover its cost, but a water park would. We need to decide what the priorities are.”

Tomer said he supports the idea, but doesn’t know how the city would pay for it right now.

“I don’t believe people understand how tight this budget is and how tight 2012 will be,” Tomer said. “The state cut us to pieces this year, and it will be even more next year. I don’t know where the money would come from unless we got a grant.”

Motley said he feels a pool is a good idea, and recommended that the city hire a person to “do nothing but pursue grants … we need to invest in things that will generate funds for this city.”