Therefore, even as there was an almost palpable sense of relief to
have, at last, this grueling process behind them, feelings in the
council were less than satisfied. While members congratulated the
Speaker and each other for their victory in obtaining as many
restorations to the budget as they did, many members also spoke in a
most heartfelt manner about those who are hurt by the budget.
For
instance, Council Member and mayoral candidate for 2005 Charles Barron
said, "I commend the City Council for coming to the rescue once again
and saving the city from a doomsday budget and putting in place instead
a budget that restores some vital services. But as we go forth I want us
not to be overly celebratory because we still have issues that we must
deal with strongly: those of the six firehouses that remain closed and
the school aid workers and paraprofessionals who are being laid off.
They will not be celebrating today."
Council
Member James Davis commented, "I don't know if this is a day of
celebration or a day of feeling that we did what had to be done. As
proud as I am to be a member of the Brooklyn delegation and to have
watched Charles Barron, Yvette Clarke and others who fought tirelessly
for every program that was protected, I don't know about feeling happy
today because I'm thinking about the paraprofessionals, all hardworking
individuals, who, unfortunately, have received pink slips. I think of
the firehouses that remain closed. I say to them, we're not going to
forget you. We won't give up."
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Noted Council Member Tracy Boyland, "We have to remember a lot of our
constituents moved from welfare to workfare had moved into school aid
positions. Now we're asked to turn our backs on them. We do not want to
do that but will continue to fight."
Council
Member Al Vann added his voice, stating, "I know we did all we could,
but it's the height of naiveté not to recognize the value that these
people have in our schools, what they do as assistant teachers,
maintaining the lunchrooms and much more. They are very important to the
educational process. I regret that we were not able to provide for them.
We will not give up until we succeed in looking after the most
vulnerable."
Council Member Yvette Clarke began her remarks by stating, "I stand
before you with mixed emotions." After mentioning some of the gains and
the losses in their protracted struggle with the Mayor to procure a
budget that truly reflects the will of the people they were elected to
serve, she continued, "Although I vote in favor of this package today, I
want the people of this city to understand that although my heart is
heavy and I am discouraged by this action. I fear what the alternative
to this package would have been, and how it would affect the working
class and economically disadvantaged communities within this city." She
concluded, "We didn't make it this time but we've done the best we can
and will continue to fight. We've only just begun, my colleagues, we've
only just begun."
ust before their
deadline, the City Council approved a $43.7 billion budget for the new
fiscal year that began July 1st. Despite their successful
efforts to preserve many city services, such as childcare health clinics
and weekend meals for seniors, the financial plan still lays off 4,000
city workers, cuts stipends for teacher supplies in half, and keeps six
firehouses closed.