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Full Name <br />City Council Regular <br />Submit your written <br />comment <br />City of Pleasanton <br />Email (this entry is disclosable <br />if included) <br />City Council Meeting Date <br />Meeting Type <br />Agenda Item Number <br />Comments <br />Meeting - <br />public <br />First Name: Barbara <br />Last Name: Comstock <br />[email protected] <br />April 08, 2025 12:54 PM <br />Special Meeting at 5:00 pm <br />2 Budget <br />Submitted On: <br />Apr 2, 2025, 01:12PM PDT <br />While I understand that cuts must be made to ensure a balanced <br />budget, I have to say how frustrating this is given we could have <br />saved ourselves the trouble had we passed the HALF CENT SALES <br />TAX. Be that as it may, sadly, this is where we are. <br />What I find even more frustrating is that the very items on the <br />proposed chopping block are the very things that serve our whole <br />community, especially our most vulnerable (the elderly and children), <br />and are what has made Pleasanton the kind of community people <br />flock to. <br />That said, cutting the library two days a week, seems to be the most <br />counter-productive and destructive. The library is where people of all <br />ages go for reading and knowledge, community activities, and <br />respite (folks without air conditioning to cool down, mothers going <br />stir-crazy with young children to, well, cool down). I volunteer for the <br />literacy program which helps second -language learners navigate the <br />cultural and linguistic challenges of living in the US, study and pass <br />their citizenship tests, and nurture new friendships. The library -- the <br />only totally free place in town, serves as the great equalizer. At the <br />library, everyone matters, no matter their social status or economic <br />power. Why would you cut back on that? <br />I implore you -- do not cut our library services. Our community needs <br />them, now more than ever. <br />In addition, I ask you to please consider NOT cutting back on Senior <br />Center services, the community pool hours, and the Firehouse Arts <br />Center programs. Once again, these provide valuable services to <br />our most vulnerable, children and seniors. If we can't care for them, <br />who will? <br />I know these are tough decisions -- and pain is going to be felt -- but <br />the pain should not fall on the shoulders of those who don't have the <br />