Chris Coons and county council members are embarking on a 12-stop listening tour Thursday to gather public input on the government’s financial crisis. They are going to get an earful, and no doubt half of the complaints will come from Nancy Willing and Liz Allen at all twelve stops. (Just kidding).
But this listening tour has only one objective in mind: CTA. Cover Their Asses. Coons and the county council knows they are going to cut services and raise taxes in order to cover the $32 million budget shortfall. But after seeing the outcry Philadelphia Mayor Nutter brought on himself by closing the public libraries in Philadelphia without public input, they could ill afford to do the same thing here.
He wants to hear from residents about what services they can live with — and live without — as county officials grind into the budget season with ax in hand.
Residents who go to the meetings will hear a presentation on services the county offers, how much they cost and details of the county’s financial problems. A group discussion will follow, with a chance for residents to ask questions and offer their opinions.
So if you value a service, or do not want to see your taxes raised, go to the meeting. If you want to criticize the way the county spends its money, go to the meeting. This is your chance to get your voice heard. If you don’t go, don’t complain later when libraries are closed. Here is the schedule and locations of the 12 meetings, which all begin at 6 pm:
Thursday: Edgemoor Community Center, 500 Duncan Road, Bellefonte
Monday, Jan. 26: Kirk Middle School, 140 Brennen Drive, Newark
Jan. 29: Cranston Heights Fire Hall, 3306 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner
Feb. 4: Brandywine Hundred Library, 1300 Foulk Road
Feb. 9: Hockessin Memorial Hall, 1225 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin
Feb. 11: Gilliam Building, 77 Reads Way, New Castle
Feb. 19: New Castle County Southern Patrol Police Station, 605 N. Broad St., Middletown
Feb. 23: Mill Creek Fire Hall, 3900 Kirkwood Highway, Marshallton
Feb. 26: Rose Hill Community Center, 19 Lambson Lane, New Castle
March 4: P.S. du Pont Elementary School, 701 W. 34th St., Wilmington
March 9: Newark Free Library, 750 Library Ave., Newark
March 11: Holloway Terrace Fire Hall, 700 West Ave., New Castle