The City Council and Mayor worked their tails off Tuesday night — for over three hours. A Budget Hearing took up a lot of their time. The final Budget Hearing is November 16.

Over seven human services organizations lined up to request funds or thank Mayor Marchione for funds budgeted. Every presentation stirred emotions and elicited concerns. The one that touched me the most was Therapeutic Health Services (THS). They treat folks with severe drug, alcohol and mental illness. My younger brother, Rick, had all three and died in his 40s.

Manager Joellen of THS rattled off some startling statistics: A least 10 percent of the general population is afflicted with either mental illness or drug abuse — or both. Mothers Against Drunk Driving say every 45 minutes someone is killed by a drunk; and for every one DUI conviction, the violator will have driven an average of 87 times without getting caught.

So how does the Council help to fund these human services to treat the afflicted and get them safely back to a normal life?

One citizen (me) recommended eliminating the 1 percent Cost of Living increase ($680,000) budgeted for 624 city staff to help fund various requests and reduce property taxes.

Another idea: defeating state liquor store privatization measures I-1100 and I-1105 will save the city over $350,000 in tax revenue a year and provide resources for human services and other budget requests.

I lived in New York, Florida, Ohio, and Arizona where liquor sales were privatized and a bottle could be had at any street corner; please not here. The TV ads show giggling, liquor-toting youth, jumping into cars after tricking convenience stores into a sale.

Yes, my brother would remember these times, if he were alive.

Please vote NO on I-1100 and I-1105.

Bob Yoder, Redmond