Lesson #2: Pay Attention or Pay Up!

Back in early October, we told you about the City Council's Finance & Budget committee. In that piece we said, "We sure do hope the Lord of the Manor is paying attention, because his won't be the only ass that could get bitten by something that creeps up from behind."

And some serious budget issues have crept up, which is why the Finance and Budget committee will be conducting a Finance and Budget COW - Committee of the Whole (.pdf) tonight in the City Council chambers.

With the surprise announcement of Napleton Cadillac's closing, additional expenditures for the police department audit, some goofy "vision plan" thing, the expense of improving air quality at the "new" Public Works Service Center, and Lutheran General Hospital's lack of cooperating on an increase in the parking garage tax, the City Council has a lot to discuss and much bloody red spending to staunch.

As quoted in an online update by one of the local rags, the Lord of the Manor, 2nd Ward Alderman Rich DiPietro said, "There will have to be some compromises made Monday night...I anticipate a lively discussion."

Like we said, things can creep up from behind.

And as an old bus driver used to say on a route once travelled by one of our crew, "Keep an eye on your pocketbooks, ladies and gentlemen, we have some special guests on board today."