The other side of the coin

YOUR ARTICLE "BIG CITY BLUES" (February) was well written and insightful. However, although it clearly articulated the problem, it did little to offer any paths forward.

It would be great to see the other side of the coin. Anytime someone is losing money, someone is making money. Are there examples of U.S. cities that are not running in deficit--but instead are running in surplus--even in these trying rimes? If not, then we are in really big trouble.

If every city in the United States is owned by banks, then the risk to the overall financial security of the country is far greater than you have presented in your article. If there are "shining examples" of cities that work, then at least there is a ray of hope and an opportunity to learn and change. Is there a central location for all cities and municipalities where annual budgets, deficits, and surpluses are reported in summary and detail format?

Kevin Harris

Chief Operating Officer

Silicon Space Inc.

San Diego

The editor replies: The best resource for information about the financial condition of cities comes from the National League of Cities, which publishes an annual study that reviews cities' budget information.

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