PUBLIC PLEADS TO SAVE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM AX

Community Wants Safety and Youth Programs, Despite $4 Million Shortfall

LAKELAND -- The message was the same. Don't cut Lakeland police's
aviation unit. Or DARE or PAL.

About 50 people, some of them city employees, showed up Monday night
to tell the Lakeland city commissioners what they thought of
potential cuts to offset a $4 million shortfall brought on by
property tax reform and decreased revenue from sales and communication taxes.

Just as some of them did less than a month ago, they told
commissioners that public safety and youth programs are crucial.

Monday night's crowd, though, was a bit more dramatic.

Annie B. Phyall, a teacher for 37 years, used an illustration of a
chair and an electric chair to describe how she tries to keep kids on
the right track. She said she was a believer in the Police Athletic
League and the great strides she's seen it make in children.

"We spend it now on this end or we spend it later," Phyall said of
the $3,000 in PAL and DARE supplies that may be cut. The plight of
Lakeland's aviation unit was equally emotional.

Dolly Peterson, a retired city employee, brought up a recent home
invasion and credited the helicopter for tracking down the suspect
and saving two lives.

"When I hear the whirlybird, I know immediately something is going on
.," Peterson said. "Every time I hear it, it is music to my ears."

The city is considering cutting the $300,000 dedicated to the
aviation unit as a way to balance the budget.

This morning commissioners will go down the list of items on the
chopping block - including $22,000 for the Lemon Street promenade
public arts program and $25,000 for the colorful city calendar.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize you can't fund
everything," said Commissioner Howard Wiggs.

But having listened to two public workshops on the budget,
commissioners seemed to be impressed by the overwhelming support for
the aviation unit.

"We'll be meeting to discuss the helicopter," said Commissioner Jim Verplanck.