Never in 1 million years should any city lay-off publc servants (protection). That being said, are scare tactics being used by public officials to force tax-payers into believing that taxes have to be raised or services will be cut? I really don't know. I do know that the firefighters in GC were the 6th highest paid per capita in the US in recent times (that's a published fact). They should be paid well, they put their lives on the line for us. But some concessions need to be made from the top down. I know that this is not a popular opinion, but take a look and determine for yourself.