Without new construction, planning departments and public works departments would have to fold up, and many bureaucrats would lose their jobs.
Public works departments need to keep building and repairing roads and sidewalks. It is a vicious circle that a concerned citizen cannot win.
We need new hotels, shopping centers, parks, swimming pools and libraries to generate fees, taxes and other revenue. A revenue stream helps pay for the city jobs. Remember, the first obligations of governments are to pay the city pensions and payroll. What is left over is for city services like road repairs, park maintenance, libraries, etc.
Many councilmen are beholden to city unions that have often helped bankroll their political campaigns. In Glendale, the fire, police, city managers and general service unions have all given to our present councilmen. These unions gave their money and endorsements for only one reason — a bigger paycheck at the end of the day.
Business as usual will prevail, as long as the city residents continue reducing their water usage. The city must continue to expand its services and projects in order to grow. Oh, and if the amount of money coming into the city coffers shrinks too much, then hold on to your wallet, as staff will recommend a water rate increase. And, building new water infrastructures will be a smoke screen for the rate increases.
Conservationists insist that we must be green. But at whose expense? Water is not an infinite resource. We do need to conserve our water, as other states are taking water from the same Colorado River and the Sierra snow pack.
