By James Coulter 

The summer doldrums…

Its that time of year when we are happy to leave everything behind and just get away for some summer time fun.  Its important to realize though, that events now can come back to bite us later.

The latest Windsor Public Library “scandal” may die out by the end of this week but, come budget time it will be trotted out again.  The WPL and its board have been in the gun sights since they stared down the $800,000 budget cut demanded of them.  I am certain that the 2009 budget process will be even more difficult.  Given the $7 million projected shortfall in this year’s budget departments will be forced to make more cuts.  I would expect that the WPL will get a thorough grilling over their practices, assets and needs by the budget committee.

The WPL, arts, historic, and all culture groups will all be in a fight together.  This council has already demonstrated its contempt for those that seek to enlighten and enrich the lives of Windsorites.  As we face up to the rising cost of sprawl and reduced tax rolls of a city hemorrhaging businesses and residents someone will lose out on budget dollars.

Groups like Fringe and W.I.F.F. and Artcite and others will need to get positive headlines right up until budget time because, as good as the reviews may be now, come budget time it may only be remembered as summer time fun, not the serious business of running a city.