this is really unfortunate - instead of providing services to our senior citizens, the council spent money on extravagant items such as sponsoring the Senior Games ($350,000), environmental coordinator ($150,000), starting a 3rd farmer's market ($19,000), sending 4 - 5 people to a recent "Green Conference" ($10 - 15,000), etc.

The city council needs to evaluate it's priorities.

these are the nonprofit groups who get out the vote for council incumbents ... if the city cuts too much here, the incumbents (barton and drekmeier) could have some problems, especially if some good opponents step up ... me thinks the council is playing with fire ...

Thank you, Common Sense. It's amazing to me that the Council doesn't see the irony of the choices they make. $350,000 for Senior Games (that would be held anyway) that could fund all those worth while causes that were denied. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Innvision didn't receive money for its Breaking Bread meals program during the current two-year funding cycle because it didn't apply for the money that it had previously received for that program.

Innvision didn't re-apply for the funds two years ago because it had another source for funding the program and because it thought the application and oversight for the Palo Alto money required too much paperwork.

Innvision's Advisory Board as an institution knows that history, but new members of the Advisory Board may be ignorant of that history.

The questions that need to be asked are: what happened to the source of funds Innvision was counting on two years ago, did they get that money, did they meet the conditions of that grant, are they applying for that money from the same source again?

It's a little odd for Innvision to state that they didn't receive money for their meals program from Palo Alto for the past two years, and then leave out the fact that Innvision chose not to apply for the money at that time.

By the way, there are limited funds available (about $300,000 a year) for many organizations. When Innvision decided not to seek funds, that freed up money for the Downtown Streets Team.

Need to look at both sides. If the city spends $300K on the Senior Games and it brings people into the the city, who in turn spend money (hotels, resturants, Stanford Shopping center, etc.), then maybe it is worth it.

Review the city council finance committee documents... the hotels have set aside 4,200 room-nights for the senior games, and the average room price is $150/night. Total hotel taxes will be $75,600. Cities get 1% of the 9.25% of sales tax. If each room-night spends $300 in Palo Alto (a big if), then that's another $12,600. So to "break even", the occupancy generated needs to be 4 times what is being reserved.

By the way, Stanford is also offering rooms, at $130/night...

Would the additional revenue have been generated anyway?

I hope these cuts include the Children's Theatre.

Close Childrens' Theater permanantly.

Save on these Salaries and Benefits for ever!!!