(The following was sent in an email to Tacoma Mayor & City Council in advance of the 12/6/2011 City Council Meeting)

Mayor Strickland and Members of the Tacoma City Council,

I am writing to you on behalf of the North End Neighborhood Council.  We have reviewed your proposed cuts to the Tacoma Police and Fire Departments.

We are not in favor of making any cuts to these services which are absolutely essential to the health, safety, and quality of life in our City.

The North End Neighborhood Council believes that it is the purpose and function of Government to first provide Police, Fire, and emergency services to its Citizens.  Those services should be the last to be cut, not among the first.

At our Board Meeting yesterday evening, a motion was passed unanimously to urge our Mayor and City Council Members to look to the reduction of all other City services – and if necessary the elimination of City Departments – before any reduction in Police, Fire, and other emergency services is considered.

Respectfully,

Jonathan Phillips,
On behalf of the North End Neighborhood Council Board