Writer has two concerns with city council

To the editor:

After reading the Dec. 28 edition of the Red Oak Express, there are two topics that I would like to respond to. First—I would think that the change in how vacations are earned should start with your next fiscal year, July 1, 2012

Why initiate a change in the middle of the fiscal year if there is no immediate need for change. What does this do to labor contracts currently in force?

As Councilman Brandstetter said, it does “appear” to be a change to benefit the former fire chief. Maybe $3,200 doesn’t seem like a lot of money to some people, but it is a huge sum to most families trying to get by in these economic times.

Second—In my opinion, the YMCA asking for $70,000 is once again too much. For several years they received $6,000 yearly from the city.

They receive their water free of charge (so I have been told), the land the building was built on and free snow removal by the city.

They had to buy the land because of shady dealings by the council who gave it to them, but  then the money was donated back by the same council.

It also brings up the same question about all the other non-profit organizations in Red Oak that do just as much or more for the city without any city funding. What about them? Business owners must reduce overhead by layoffs, etc. But not the YMCA?

Maybe they should have paid attention when Mr. Wilson said the same thing a few years back. He was a pretty fair business man! I hope the new council uses common sense when they start handing out the money.

Susan M. Williams
Red Oak