Pubdate: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 Source: Savannah Morning News (GA) Copyright: 2002 Savannah Morning News Contact: http://www.savannahnow.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/401 Author: Dean Kicklighter Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n336/a09.html PLAN IS TO SHIFT COSTS, NOT DESTROY DRUG SQUAD In response to Feb. 26 editorial titled, "Don't gut drug squad," your opinion of my proposal to shift funding for 13 of 14 Savannah police officers who currently serve on the Chatham County Narcotics Team was exactly wrong. The proposal would not potentially wreck drug enforcement in the greater community, as you stated. It would merely shift the responsibility of funding CNT to the city that is receiving the service. The proposal would leave it fully intact, but would save Chatham County taxpayers possibly $700,000 annually because the City of Savannah would have to share the expenses by funding 13 officers. You also stated that it takes leadership to cut popular but non-essential, programs, but neglected to say that I also proposed the sale of the Aquatic Center, the Weightlifting Center and the Tybee Pier to the City of Savannah, Tybee Island or to a non-profit organization such as the YMCA for a token payment of $1. The proposed sale of those facilities would save Chatham County taxpayers an additional $800,000 annually. The above-mentioned projects are wonderful, but Chatham County faces a catastrophic budget in July unless expenses are cut or taxes are raised. Three of the four commissioners you praised in the editorial by stating that they "had the good sense to vote no," are publicly supportive of a tax increase. I choose to make the tough cuts that will keep additional taxes off the backs of Chatham County taxpayers. No cuts are easy, but the $1.5 million in combined cuts that I proposed would have been a nice start and would not have hurt, hindered or disrupted drug enforcement in Chatham County. DEAN KICKLIGHTER - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager