First I would like to comment on the mayor's State of the City Address. I thought all-in-all it was pretty accurate and I liked the family connection! We are going through tough times, but I was a little confused when he said that he takes "responsibility" for everything. My question is, what exactly is he taking responsibility for? Did he ever admit to any wrongdoing when called on it?</p><p>I am present at virtually every meeting and I haven't heard him nor his amigos admit nor apologize for any of the blunders they have committed against this city.</p><p>Now negotiations between safety personnel and city officials are going on. Why do I have the feeling that safety will once again be compromised?</p><p>But if it has to be, then cuts should be done all across to be fair to everyone. City employees should take pay cuts, lose some insurance benefits and have a furlough day implemented.</p><p>As we all know, activity is very low at City Hall at the present time. If and when the economy improves within a few years then lift these restrictions.</p><p>Another tough decision is to allow the Regional Transportation Impact Fees to be lifted for the duration of Measure A (five years) that way businesses would be able to build, rent, or use the vacant sites available, giving the city the tax revenue it so desperately needs and at the same time allow for the recovery of the general fund.</p><p>The business license fees that the city is imposing on local businesses are outrageous! Not only did City Hall personnel not take the time to educate themselves on exactly what fees apply to which businesses, they also failed to give the owners the consideration and time they deserved to prepare for such fees and keep their doors open at the same time.</p><p>We all understand how much the city needs the revenues, but to continuously hit its citizens for more money to cover their mistakes is incomprehensible. So please do it slow, accurately and fair. The excuse that this law has been in place since 2005 is definitely lacking. Why then was it never enforced?</p><p>Maria Borba</p><p>Los Ba&#241;os