More than three-quarters (82.6 percent) of those who responded to an Argus-Courier online survey Oct. 16, 2008 say they are concerned that cutbacks in city government will affect the quality of life in Petaluma.

When asked if they thought layoffs and cutbacks in city government were appropriate, the answers were divided with 43.5 percent not sure and almost 40 percent saying yes.

Respondents were also asked which of these general fund services should receive the fewest cuts: 47.8 percent said police, a total of 26 percent said fire or parks and recreation, 8.7 percent said general maintenance and 17.4 said “other.”

Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey:

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“The city needs to consider selling off some its real estate effective immediately.”

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“Local government spending needs to separate must-have and nice-to-have line items so we can remain flexible in lean times. I would much rather have my taxes trickle up from the local-state-federal level rather then the other way around.”

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“I sure hate to see the city traffic engineer go. He implemented some great things in Petaluma, and unfortunately, was often blasted in letters to the editor by some citizens who refused to see any of the benefits. City employees have to put up with a lot of BS; rarely are they shown any appreciation. Even though cuts may have been required, it is sad to see any city employee leave. Now is the time for residents to step up and contribute to their community.”

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“Unfortunately, layoffs happen when the large part of your budget is personnel. But there is always some degree of waste and non-essential items that should first be addressed. While that would not stop the layoffs, it could certainly help to some degree.”

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“So why isn’t the City Council trying to collect the money that Basin Street Properties owes the city due to the unapproved cost overruns on the Theatre Square project?”

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“Let’s elect councilmembers who have the residents’ interests in mind, not those of out-of-town developers.”

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“Share the pain. Cops and fire need to give in as well.”

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“Balance the budget; let’s be serious.”

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“I feel if we all watched our spending in each department and only cut back on the jobs least needed it would help. Not to mention some of the high salaries people in this city make.”

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“Karen Nau and Samantha Freitas with the rest of our current City Council established goals and priorities for 2008. One was to ensure the fiscal strength of the City by planning for the impact of the state fiscal crisis, yet Petaluma has made the most drastic cuts in Sonoma County. In February, the council was given an update on the revenues and expenditures of the City. they were told ‘expenditures will have to be monitored very carefully over the balance of the fiscal year to not exceed budget.’ Overtime must be watched closely in police and fire departments due to several staff vacancies to remain within budget. Advised revenues are anticipated to be flat due to the housing crisis and no new development then in June. They act surprised and their only solution is to lay off people. Nau and Freitas should not be elected. We need someone like Spence Burton on the City Council. His years of financial experience balancing a million dollar budget, his expertise in negotiations with people and his willingness to make the City Council his only job makes him the most qualified candidate. Out with the old in with the new.”