City Budget Talks Doom Lubbock’s Only Remaining Pool, Tourism At Risk

The City Council is cutting and slicing and the results are going to be bad.

Cuts Ahead

The City Of Lubbock continues to try to cut it's way into prosperity. Of course, every major financial thinker out there will tell you that's not possible (Forbes for instance), but I guess we're not currently interested in growth. Right now the key political word being tossed around is "relief" for the taxpayer.

What's Being Discussed

It looks like everyone on the council is against continuing with the $325,000 renovations on what would have been Lubbock's only pool. City Manager Jarrett Atkinson told council members that "efforts to fix the pool may not be successful". So it looks like the pool is dead and just waiting to be buried.

Tourism Is At Risk

It also appears that Councilman David Glasheen will continue to try to defund Market Lubbock to some degree and/or fully. The councilman explained that he though "the very best economic development is to keep taxpayers dollars in their own pockets". I cannot speak to Market Lubbock's outreach, but I can tell you that businesses that don't advertise die really quickly, and I don't know why a city would be any different. Hopefully Glasheen will be outvoted on this one.

Who This Hurts

I guess the poor folks who have to use public libraries, pools, and services aren't top of mind for this group. They also don't seem to care how quality of life issues make Lubbock look. It's all about saving money now and kicking the can down the road. Meanwhile Lubbock has an anemic 1% population growth and insane crime rates because there's nothing to do.

Lubbock Has No Vision

I also have to say, it's not totally this Mayor/Councils fault. They are responding to tax payers demands (in most cases). It's sad that no one seems to have a vision for Lubbock's future and/or is willing to make any sacrifices for it.