Big bold headlines in the Argus Courier today that have not yet been published on Petaluma 360. City workers likely facing layoff or concession to balance $32M General Fund.

City Manager John Brown is quoted as saying this hole has come about because of 3 main factors: Lower than expected sales tax revenues, a reliance on last year's remaining fund balance and the states's misapportionment of sales taxes that were incorrectly remitted to Petaluma.

This budget deficit is the direct result of the council majority's no growth stance. Who cares if we don't have fire or police services? At least we don't have a Target.

So Rosie the council majority that's been in office since January is responsible for this shortfall? How?
It's time to fix our problems not point fingers.

Ok, so what is the next supervisor doing about this. Oh I know creating a list of police/firemen that will receive a pink slip for x-mas.. great job.. past and present council..

Everyone should attend the city council meeting on Monday November 2nd where they will "conduct a first-quarter budget review and begin to look for ways to close the gap."

Too late Tahoe, they are already going after the city employees and will be handing out early pink slips for x-mas..at least they got up the holiday stuff on light polls..what a joke..

I cannot believe Council Member Glass had the nerve to suggest people enjoy being home with the families because of a reduction in hours. Maybe he doesn't understand most families live paycheck to paycheck and need to sustain their current income? Here's a solution, he should offer to offset the reduction in salaries for the impacted employees. Glass needs to pull his head out of the clouds and get a clue.

PD article today - Link

Tahoe, great link that every Petaluma tax payer should hopefully read.. I am keeping this up to watch all the reply's to this story. Fascinating.

The message of the day is 'sustainability', right? What's sustainable about overpaid government workers?

This is an issue of common sense. If these overpaid ingrates won't bargain, then fire them all. There is absolutely no shortage of unemployed tax payers in Petaluma who are probably better qualified and will likely do a better job.

Our City crumbles (roads, back door politics, finances, etc.) while this new Gang of Four on our Council "fiddles" away our future... Maybe their taking lessons from Roman Emperor Nero! We have to have a balanced and realistic budget... no more smoke and screens like the state budget. Every three months our city manager comes back to the Council and says we are deeper in the hole... It shouldn't take a sooth sayer to realize income to the city has been, and will continue to, decline for the foreseeable future.

What a mess this Council Majority have created. So anti-business, anti-growth, and self righteous that they cannot see what they have created. A city with no plan for the future, paying its bills by laying off employees, with no hope for the future. Torliatt thinks she has done such a good job she should be elected Supervisor. Glass thinks he deserves another shot at Mayor. Amazing and disheartening.

Dishonesty reigns. Glass takes Regency's money five years ago and fights behind the scenes to kill the project. Torliatt says 'we are moving this forward' as she works to delay it behind the scenes. At least Barrett openly says Target is beneath her. I would sure like to some new Council candiates that I could get behind. I am quite ready to spend my money and my time to get rid of this group.