Nero fiddles while Rome burns

When the City Manager spoke in the past about the pain to be endured by the recession he was obviously talking about the PEOPLE having those pains. The people are suffering greatly, losing their jobs, sometimes their houses, and having to resort to garage sales to keep the lights on. City administrators, Department heads, and the City Manager have NOT suffered in the least, as far as I can see. They havent even taken any pay CUTS, much less lost their jobs! City administrators have cut 162k from the upcoming budget and ADDED 3.5 MILLION in debt for the people to pay off. In addition they want to ADD two new positions, one in Finance and a new Rec Director, that would add about 150k to the city payroll, cancelling out the 162k savings. Why is it that ONLY the residents are suffering from this recession and the Council's ridiculous, costly, and unaffordable new gym project? The Council's answer is to allow thre more garage sales. Big deal, while NONE of the City officials are even taking a pay cut!! They should be sharing the pain with us! Pain is losing your job, your house. City officials havent even been INCONVENIENCED yet. Their well-paid lives go on as usual- the residents do the suffering and pay the price, with little to no apparent concern from city officials.