Well hallelujah!! Capping salaries? Cutting raises? The Auburn City Council fathers have finally got the ball rolling. And how about all the residents that are just lovin#, this? Oh, and how about the statement, “#management should not take the temporary changes personally.#” Golly gee.

As a fairly new resident of the Auburn/Fleming area (a little over one year) I have had an outsider#,s view of the Auburn's political mish-mashing. Political mish-mashing is a reality in every community, however, like the Starship Enterprise; Auburn politics are an entity unto itself.

Sorry, back to the city council#'s latest money saving, breast beating coup; City Manager Mark Palesh has redeemed the old adage “#a penny saved is a penny earned,” or is it the other way around?? I am as confused as the city council. Just a couple of questions and statements then I'll fly away.

To the city council and their Auburn city cheerleading squad, (including the #“Citizen”), regarding the 15 employees that were sold down the outlet:

€ To the council: “#Compared to other cities, we#,re too high.#” That's a little vague, where is the study and what is the financial percentage savings on the budget? Quantify the beneficial impact, please. Including any future impact ... Oh, wait a minute, this could be temporary.

€ To the gleeful taxpayers: Take a moment from your hooting and remember this; the people whose lives that have been touched by this decision did not have their jobs handed to them on a silver platter. They worked hard to achieve their positions, and several of them have literally placed their life on the line for you.

Day and night. Weekends. Holidays. There has never been a distinction. These individuals have had a sincere and genuine stake in your lives and the lives of your families.

€ To the council: Who would you like to take a look at next? The sky's the limit guys, look up, maybe there is a market for #“eating crow.”

Now, for the finale. I want everyone who supported this #“amendment#” to “#pretend” for a moment. “Pretend” you're on the “Starship” (cause you are) and your boss (Captain Kirk) has just informed you that your responsibilities will at best remain the same, maybe increase, your family life and weekends will be disrupted on a regular basis, and any future increases and/or promotions will be capped and limited. “Sorry, he says,” “it's to alleviate the financial strain.”

Got that picture? Bet you guys are doing back flips...

Judy Clarke

Fleming