Currently the city is collecting input from its citizens on where it should spend its money and where it should work to save money.

I applaud the city for 'opening' the process.

A number of people in our live audience Thursday night, and many watching at home on WCTV-48 who called in or sent an email comment, encouraged the city to cut real estate taxes, lower assessments and be fiscally responsible with taxpayers' money.

When the public comment period ended, Mayor Dalton Edge made what I felt was an interesting observation. Edge noted there had been more than 50 requests from citizens for the city to spend MORE money on a number of projects.

Many of the requests were for fairly simple things; another garbage can, street light bulbs that work and some fresh tar to fill the pot holes.

But other requests addressed bigger issues; more funding for police and firefighters, school renovations and public parks.

Is it fair to cry out and ask city leaders to hold the line but fund what's important to me?

Budgets are about priorities, and we ALL have them.