To the editor:

The time has come in our current economy for the city (mayor) to stop asking and begin making some hard decisions on her own.

Consensus is a wonderful goal on any subject; but consensus will seldom, if ever, be attained when dealing with the subject of money.

Just look back at some of the contracts we are now stuck with, the Quinn Bill being only one of them. Nothing as lucrative as this bill exists anywhere in private industry.

Our gutless lawmakers could have eliminated the Quinn Bill with some obvious grandfathering; instead, the Legislature created cuts in their spending and passed the buck to the cities and towns. So be it. Apparently we must live with it.

If the total amount of money available in the police budget is "x," then that is what the chief has to work with. He is the department head and it is up to him to allocate the funds in the best way he deems necessary or be fired. Surely, to fill the job there must be someone, at least or more capable than he.

I believe that is what a department head is supposed to do. If it means layoffs and/or fewer paper clips, then so be it. And please don't preach to me about the effect layoffs would have on public safety.

The whole concept of a reduction of public service hindering public safety is a bunch of well-propagandized baloney. And I would argue my position with anyone who would like to challenge my opinion.

A similar financial get-tough policy should be the norm with all — I repeat, all — of the departments and boards that are funded by the Salem taxpayers. I am confident we would accomplish at least as much as we do now, perhaps more.

Although my opinion may appear as an oversimplified solution to what we all think of as a vexing problem, the problem is not as insoluble as it seems. The reality is that all of us citizens involved cannot walk away from this recession absolutely satisfied. As individuals on our relative fixed incomes, we all have to adjust our discretionary spending to accommodate the current economy. As a result, so must the people we pay in public service.

I see no logical reason for our public-service people living higher than the people they presumably serve at any time, particularly during this financially volatile time!

Edward Plecinoga

Salem