Trees or people?
I have a question for the Spokane Parks and Recreation board: Are trees more important than Spokane seniors and youth?
The staff of the Parks and Recreation Department is recommending to the board that several hundred thousand dollars be added to the regularly scheduled amount for the 2012 budget for urban forestry. They are also recommending that 100 percent of the funding that has been given to senior and youth centers for 40 years be eliminated in the 2012 budget.
As there has been no prior notice, this will be enough of a blow to most of the centers that they will be forced to close if that partial help with expenses is withheld.
These centers are of utmost importance to the lives of many seniors and youth, as well as their parents. The centers contribute to the communities in many ways. Is the welfare of these citizens of no interest to the Parks and Recreation Department?
Helen Dennis
Spokane