There is no question the city is facing budget challenges that could put many community services and programs on hold or severely reduce them, but we ask that Mayor Greg Nickels and City Council members carefully consider the impacts these cuts will have on communities that depend on them.

The mayor proposed earlier this month cutting, or rather "freezing" (this way the funds can be used later if need be), the 2009-2010 budget by $5 million. Some of the first programs to be cut, or cut back, will be pedestrian safety programs, community center hours and security of public spaces.

According to the city's Director of Finance Dwight Dively, the cuts are due to, among other factors, the national economic slump.

The mayor also wants to cut $10 million in upcoming captial projects due to a lower than expected intake of collected real-estate excise tax. Chair of the council budget committee Jean Godden supports this action (see Op-ed) and we favor it as well when considering the council has not named capital projects as a city priority for this budget cycle.

Funds will be focused on public safety, human services and housing, transportation, pedestrian safety, environmental stewardship and neighborhood planning.

As was evidenced at a series of town hall meetings held earlier this year at several locations throughout the city by the council budget committee, human services and programs to aid the poor, elderly and homeless are experiencing more need in communities as day-to-day economics get tougher. If the city is really going to recognize the hardships brought upon by the current economy it must not ignore these groups when it comes time to dole out money.

Status quo won't work any longer. Godden pledges to spend money "responsibly," and we can't think of anything more responsible than taking care of your citizens.