True to campaign promises, newly elected City Councilman Jason Burnett called for citizens to weigh in on Carmel's budget process at a Monday, May 3 meeting at Sunset Center.

Some 25 citizens showed up to speak out on the eve of city council meetings where the city's new spending plan will be crafted.

Among the comments and concerns:

-"Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure," summed up one attendee, who said that not a single residential street had been repaved in the last decade.

-"We're losing our forests. All the trees were planted some time in the 1940s," said another.

-"The City Administrator's goals are not good goals," declared a third man. "They need to be quantifiable. There needs to be a timeline[for accomplishing the goals]." 

-What are  the best uses of Sunset Center and the Forest Theater, and how much should they be subsidized?

-It's tough to speak truth to power in a small town, noted one woman, who raised concerns about the possible repercussions of speaking out on the city's public safety budget.

 Burnett announced that his campaign website has morphed into what he calls a community conversation.  Residents post questions, which Burnett answers publicly while also notifying the questioner that he has posted a response.

Among a number of chats already posted: How are you going to insure[sic] that dogs can run free on Carmel Beach?, Real Estate in Carmel, and What can the city do about storm damage to the beach.

The Carmel City Council takes up the budget Tuesday May 4 at 4:30pm at City Hall.