News-Record.com

Some city council members will hold a press conference Friday to discuss "city efforts in reducing cost expenditures to meet current economic conditions."

It was a press conference called at the urging of Councilman Mike Barber, who wants to make sure residents know they're paying attention to financial worries that have rocked the country.

"We just want the public to know that we are proactive about what's going on in the economy," Mayor Yvonne Johnson said.

Barber was concerned that the recent news that the city will hold back about $1.1 million in case of revenue shortfalls could damage the city bonds' chances at the polls. The city is asking voters to approve $205 million in bonds for transportation, the War Memorial Auditorium, parks and recreation and housing initiatives.

Barber wants to assure residents the projects are much-needed investments in the city. Barber also wants fellow council members to agree to hold off on issuing those bonds -- if they are approved -- until the end of 2009, the end of their current terms in office.

It's an idea that has not yet been debated by the full council, so it will be interesting to see who attends the press conference and whether they back this plan.

The press conference itself is a sticking point between Barber and Councilman Robbie Perkins, who was not happy that it was called in the first place. He said he didn't want it to appear as though the information presented at this press conference represented the opinions of the entire council. In his opinion, the city is doing well financially and he's worried a press conference would needlessly alarm the public.

"I can’t be associated with knee-jerk reactions and poor strategic planning," Perkins said.

Call it yet another difference of leadership style and perspective as this divided council comes the half-way mark of this term.