I live in Westwood Highlands, a neighborhood falling under the Somerset Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP). I recently received the mailing about NEP funds being available this year, and requesting my input on how to spend this money.

Let me be frank: I am appalled that this program was not tabled last year and I am incredulous that it is again moving forward this year.

Does the city have any idea what it means to live within a budget? Why not reallocate this money towards Bellevue’s multi-million dollar budget gap, along with any other non-essential expenditures.

I do realize that some people might lose their jobs without these projects to administer; however, I have lost my job many times when the company I worked for no longer provided a service, at a cost the market could bear, without losing money.

I think the Bellevue City Council should emulate the wisdom of the free market and end these frills. In this economic environment, they are very clearly seen as boondoggles.

David Rogers, Bellevue