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The city budget process doesn’t traditionally excite readers and residents, but this year the back and forth between Mayor Jon Mitchell and the City Council has inspired passionate engagement.
What follows is a sampling of reader comments on The New Bedford Light’s website and Facebook page:
“Both Mayor [Jon] Mitchell and Council President [Shane] Burgo deserve serious criticism for their inflammatory rhetoric and cheap tricks regarding how the budget will be reconciled. These decisions affect our safety, our equity, our cultural institutions, and the future of our city’s economy. I don’t appreciate them playing chicken with vital services and institutions.
“While legal and contractual obligations must be met, they are never the whole picture. Cultural institutions like the Zeiterion provide substantial secondary economic benefits: visitors dine at restaurants, pay for parking, and shop downtown. Even modest cuts to fire services are more than reckless; they are insulting, given how many lives have already been lost to fires in our dense, flammable housing stock. Reducing library services will disproportionately harm low-income neighborhoods and working families. …
“Both leaders need to communicate that every line item affects a much larger ecosystem. Neither is managing the public narrative effectively, and the city deserves better from both.”
— Michael Gallant, website (edited for length)
“To Councilor [Derek] Baptiste,
“As a resident of your ward, I was dismayed to read about your role in canceling Zeiterion funding. You and the city council, rightly in my opinion, made a binding commitment to the Zeiterion organization by agreeing to help fund the renovations. You now open us up to the risk of litigation by reneging on it. Not only is it a bad idea for legal reasons to rescind the funding decision at this point, it’s also bad for the city’s cultural landscape.
The Zeiterion is an anchor point, attracting desirable arts and entertainment to the city. You blame some vague notions of outside pressure for voting to approve the funding previously, without any substantiation of in what form that pressure came. Your words ‘I represent the people of this city, and I want to see more given back to my city and to the community,’ ring hollow. Funding the Zeiterion organization is giving back to the city. Find a way to fix the damage your vote has caused or face the anger of your ward residents at the next election.”
— Hugh Gilpatric, email
“Excellent reporting here by The Light, as usual. And what another embarrassing moment for our ‘governing body.’ Any person who genuinely suggests cutting $6M from already underfunded public schools and then has to be ‘walked’ to a $1.7M cut, the largest of them all, is not a serious person and not someone who needs to be in charge of adult decisions. I think I know some people in Ward 2 who may agree and see fit to relieve Maria [Giesta] of this obviously challenging task.
“Local government matters. This mess is why. Hope to see some new names and real solutions on the ballot this fall. Maybe you’ll see mine!”
— Todd Foy
“So it sounds like some people don’t want [the funding for the Z] because they don’t go there. They believe it serves people from other towns. That’s a good thing. It means people from other cities and towns are going there to spend money. It means more revenue for New Bedford. It means more people shopping, dining, etc. in New Bedford instead of somewhere else.”
— Joe Viarella, Facebook
“I am sorry to see the current controversy regarding the jeopardy of the city funding contribution towards the Zeiterion. The Z is a core component of the many things that help make New Bedford a vibrant city heading in the right direction.
“The surrounding towns and rural areas and New Bedford are the components of a blended eco-system which is beneficial to all of its members. Regardless of home addresses, those who come to New Bedford events at the Z spend money at city businesses and institutions and in return enjoy the food, cultural, and entertainment offering of New Bedford. This is a win-win situation. Most of the money supporting the Z operations and its physical renovations has come from federal and [state] funding and also the generous contributions from individuals and companies from both New Bedford and its surrounding communities. Lets not get myopic! Continuation of a vibrant and financially stable Zeiterion is critical for the City of New Bedford and deserves the city financial support that was promised, justifiable, and needed.”
— James Dildine, website
“‘Austerity measures’ but punish low-income communities.
“How about an extra tax on people/companies who own property in the city but aren’t residents?”
— Joe Bouchard, Facebook
“Art scenes make cities thrive. They draw investments in other businesses that draw tourists. This is very short-sighted.”
— Julia Sousa, Facebook
“Raise the price of tickets and let the people who use it pay for it.”
— Allen Wayne, Facebook
“I wonder if the NB City Council thinks that the city is an ‘encampment’, temporary, just existing, ready to move out? Do they think we have a need only for a water and food source, simple shelter and nothing else? What are we without cultural gifts? What kind of place do they want this to be? I am in favor of living as best we can with some vibrancy if we can manage it and the Z has done that for a century, making no profit, but contributing to our welfare and well being. I for one am ashamed of the city council.”
— James Griffith, website
“The Zeiterion is a landmark of New Bedford. The arts are very important to all and especially the younger generation. Ask the teachers of New Bedford their opinion. Adults and children need the Zeiterion. Keep your word. Fund the Zeiterion!”
— Trudy Melissa Medeiros, Facebook
“The Z should be self-supporting!”
— Arthur Rebello Jr., Facebook
“This does not make sense. The Z is a cornerstone of the arts and culture vibrancy of New Bedford and an economic engine for the downtown area. If they are looking to save money, why did they give over a hundred thousand of ARPA funds with no vetting to the New Bedford Research and Robotics private enterprise?”
— Pat Daughton, website
“This city council is out of control and does not represent the residents of the city. First they ignore the administration and the Secretary of State’s office and move the primary, making it harder for residents to vote in absentia… And now taking away promised funds (seems to be a trend these days) to an important institution in this city — The Z — which benefits all school children in New Bedford. Further, it appears their actions could be illegal. Vote them all out I say! Time for a change!”
— Joanne Mendes, website
“It seems like they cut the wrong things? Cutting the Z is pennywise and pound foolish. Maybe the worst school district in the state? Let’s cut it!!”
— Tom Joad, website
If you want the Zeiterion to be funded have the Mayor close the Quest Center and sell the building (the Quest Center has never turned a profit and operates in the red, draining city tax dollars). The emails and texts blaming the City Council are wrong, the Mayor is responsible for running this city and the facts show that the city has been financially mismanaged for over 10 years. From 2012 budget of $247.3 Million Dollars to the present approved budget of $550.8 Million Dollars the Mitchell Administration has expanded city government and doubled the city’s budget by a staggering $303.5 Million Dollars. Just imagine if the Mitchell Administration would have restrained on spending and expanding city government and the budget was only increased by $250 Million Dollars, the city would not be in this trouble today. 100% it is time for new leadership in the Mayor’s office.
OK Jeff, if it’s that easy I’ll expect to see your name on the ballot next election! And you just might get my vote!
Sorry Howie facts don’t lie and sometimes the truth just hurts.
The blame should be placed on both the Mayor and the city council members who voted in the last 20 plus years to grow the city’s operating budget. The Mayor and councilors should have known that you can’t increase your operating budget without any new revenue sources. The did and now our city has a 250 million dollar deficit. The state and federal government isn’t going to make up the difference. SHAMEFUL.
Mr Janson is 100% correct, for over 10 years Mayor Mitchell and Six Senior City Councilors (Abreu, Carney, Giesta, Gomes, Lopes, and Morad) who approved these budgets are responsible for allowing the city budget to increase by a staggering $303.5 Million Dollars. New Bedford deserves better and we need new leadership in both the Mayor’s Office and the City Council.