Editor, I guess I’m happy to see the mileage rate will not be raised to support the city of Hinesville’s budget. But, dipping into the reserve fund is not the answer either. Can’t we produce a balanced budget? It is not an impossible task. I strongly recommend that the council and department heads trim expenses into available funds. We live in a hurricane zone, our country is fighting two wars, we are deep in a national recession and staring hyperinflation right in the face.
It is highly conceivable that we might need the reserve fund for essential services, not boondoggle trips, extravagant buildings, magazines, empty buses, library bailouts and imported streetlights from China.

— Joe Gillam
Hinesville