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SALINAS, Calif. - A rushed meeting called by Mayor Donohue before he left for the nation's capital started off more dramatic than usual. Councilman Tony Barrera left before the meeting even began saying he wasn't going to listen to Mayor Donohue lecture the crowd about Measure V, when it was suppose to be a study session.
But even still, the mayor stands behind his original statement.
"We simply need to solve the problem this time. This is a great opportunity for the city so I am excited for Salinas," said Donohue.
Donohue said there is a simple framework to the budget - funding for libraries and parks and public safety.
The public was allowed a very short amount of time to ask questions and voice concerns. Even then the meeting seemed a little too inside baseball. I mostly heard from people on the Measure V committee and other city departments.
The mayor and the finance director said Salinas is facing a $5 million dollar deficit in the first year if Measure V doesn't pass, which leaves the only option to cut police officers and close libraries.
By Brett Martin
