Theron Sanders Sr.: Atwater needs new leadership, not a ‘magic act’

Re “Atwater budget magic makes deficit disappear” (Letters, June 12): This clearly shows the moxie of Atwater officials as they continue to mismanage city finances by moving or transferring millions of dollars back, and forth from one fund to another. It’s as if they think by pulling a rabbit (or weasel) out of a hat, it will convince residents that our finances are being addressed in a prudent and competent manner.

Of the millions borrowed to balance the general fund, $200,000-plus will be used to hire another layer of management for the fire department. To date, we have only five fire fighting engineers, the remainder are ranking officers. Now we’re spending money we don’t have for another battalion chief for Atwater.

The foolishness continues. The city council voted that some of the borrowed money go for a pay raise to three of it’s favored senior staffers. Meanwhile, our long-suffering, rank-and-file city employees continue to suffer through another year of a 10-percent pay reductions. Apparently, the favored few have priority. We need new leadership before Atwater is run into the ground.

This story was originally published June 17, 2015 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Theron Sanders Sr.: Atwater needs new leadership, not a ‘magic act’."