To the editor:

The city just spent $75,000 on a pavilion/stage at Bennett’s Creek Park, and many people are outraged at the wasted money.

Folks, things like this get pushed through as part of the Capital Improvements Program. This is why I went to speak out against the spending in the CIP when they had that public hearing a few weeks back. I was the only speaker. Where were you all?

The budget and the spending start with the CIP. Then the School Board has to finalize its budget and send a lump-sum request to the city. The city doesn’t get to tell the School Board where to spend that money. If the teachers aren’t getting their raises or if the schools are out of paper, take that up with the School Board. Find out what they are spending and where they can cut back.

After the CIP and the School Board, the city puts together its budget. Mayor Linda Johnson says it’s not due until June 30, but they push it through by the first week of May — four weeks early — “so the schools can work on teacher contracts.”

I see so many people in the city frustrated with council and city spending. Where are you all on the first and third Wednesday nights? Why aren’t you all packing that City Council hall every meeting, using the “non-agenda speakers” time to tell council off? Councilman Curtis Milteer ran unopposed last year. Why aren’t you running for council opposite these guys?

I get it. I’m frustrated too. It feels like council never listens. But how can they listen if you aren’t talking to them? The more people show up at every meeting, the more likely it is they will get the message.

So, you’re fed up with spending like this. What are you going to do about it?

Lorraine Yuriar

Suffolk