City Hall finances

Dear Editor:Two things: In Eric Pierce's coverage of the layoffs at City Hall, it is revealed (or restated if there was previous disclosure) that the city has been in a deficit position since the meltdown of September 2008. Perhaps if the city had re-prioritized its expenditures at that time, there would be less disruption today; or were they waiting for the Tooth Fairy to come by and make everything better? And the other is the ongoing saga of Tierra Luna(cy): Mayor Pro Tem David Gafin is quoted as saying "...the site is private property..." I'm sorry, but I was under the impression that the city moved Heaven and Hell to purchase the old Vultee/NAA/Rockwell/Boeing site from the U.S. government. When was it sold to Bob Manarino? Just how much per acre did the city pay the feds for this property; and how much per acre were they paid by Mr. Manarino; and what promises did the city make to Mr. Manarino in that property transaction that they're (we) are having to make good on? Is this another case of selling an asset to cover operational costs, and then having to make a deal with the devil (metaphorically speaking, Mr. Manarino - no offense intended) to avoid ending up with a weed-covered lot that nobody wants? -- Drew Kelley, Downey

********** Published: February 16, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 44