PLAN IS TO SHIFT COSTS, NOT DESTROY DRUG SQUAD

In response to Feb. 26 editorial titled, "Don't gut drug squad," your
opinion of my proposal to shift funding for 13 of 14 Savannah police
officers who currently serve on the Chatham County Narcotics Team was
exactly wrong.

The proposal would not potentially wreck drug enforcement in the greater
community, as you stated. It would merely shift the responsibility of
funding CNT to the city that is receiving the service.

The proposal would leave it fully intact, but would save Chatham County
taxpayers possibly $700,000 annually because the City of Savannah would
have to share the expenses by funding 13 officers.

You also stated that it takes leadership to cut popular but non-essential,
programs, but neglected to say that I also proposed the sale of the Aquatic
Center, the Weightlifting Center and the Tybee Pier to the City of
Savannah, Tybee Island or to a non-profit organization such as the YMCA for
a token payment of $1.

The proposed sale of those facilities would save Chatham County taxpayers
an additional $800,000 annually. The above-mentioned projects are
wonderful, but Chatham County faces a catastrophic budget in July unless
expenses are cut or taxes are raised.

Three of the four commissioners you praised in the editorial by stating
that they "had the good sense to vote no," are publicly supportive of a tax
increase. I choose to make the tough cuts that will keep additional taxes
off the backs of Chatham County taxpayers.

No cuts are easy, but the $1.5 million in combined cuts that I proposed
would have been a nice start and would not have hurt, hindered or disrupted
drug enforcement in Chatham County.

DEAN KICKLIGHTER