May 6, 2009 > Letter to the Editor: Union City budget cuts Letter to the Editor: Union City budget cuts As a concerned resident and tax payer in Union City, I feel I have to speak out on the City's proposed budget cuts. A few months ago, we voted on a public safety parcel tax (Measure K and then recently Measure UU). I feel that I have been misled at best and at worst lied to! Measure UU was supposed to secure our Police and Fire Departments, the big campaign issue that I supported and am now paying for was NO CUTS. Now my taxes are higher to pay for what? The City Manager's staff report says that to avoid catastrophic cuts in other City departments, cuts must be made to public safety. Why was I lied to? I understand that the financial state of the city has changed, but if there have to be cuts in the Fire department, why are the women over 40, with many years of service with the city, targeted? Where are the other options? Why haven't things like other alternatives to lay-offs been considered? If revenue is such a big concern, why is the part of the Fire Department that brings in revenue being cut, isn't that the area that should be maintained or expanded? J.R. Chafe Union City