Kids These Days:

At the June 16 Costa Mesa City Council meeting, Councilman Gary Monahan proposed a series of budget cuts, many of which affect the city’s at-risk children, by saying, “Some of you are going to think I am heartless, and I am sorry.”

And as he ran down his shopping list of cuts, Monahan tried to justify the ax by claiming he was being fiscally responsible to the city’s taxpayers; however, when it came time to discuss eliminating the after-school program at Rea school, Monahan began to reveal his true agenda. At one point, he said, “Are we supposed to provide free programs because people are working and can’t baby-sit their kids?”

Earlier, Councilwoman Katrina Foley asked him if he would consider sponsoring a fundraiser at his restaurant so kids could try to raise some of the money back. Monahan did not reply “yes” or “absolutely” or “as soon as possible.” He said, “Have them send me a letter requesting it.”

These comments are insights into Monahan’s state of mind, also known as “tells,” and based on them, Monahan needs to go find his heart.

Taking a hatchet to youth programs often used by disadvantaged kids is easy. The kids don’t vote, and their parents on the Westside are probably less likely to vote than other residents. You want to pick on someone? Pick on someone your own size, but don’t make these kids suffer because you can’t manage the budget.

Monahan, Mayor Allan Mansoor and Councilman Eric Bever, all of whom voted to cut youth programs, cannot make the connection between providing educational and athletic programs for children and the realization of these kids that the path to success is in school, not in the street.

Mansoor displayed his sheer ignorance of the connection when he asked, “Why can’t [the Westside residents] purchase a portable basketball hoop and share the cost?”

Why, Mr. Mayor? Because a portable basketball hoop is not a replacement for the mentoring, tools and role models that these programs provide, that’s why. Because a portable basketball hoop does not support the hard work done by the Police Department, the recreation staff, the school teachers and the many volunteers who grind it out day after day on our streets trying to give these kids a better life — that’s why.