Locals protest 2013 Anderson budget

ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) - Protesters converged outside Anderson’s City Hall Tuesday night to object the city’s plans to layoff police officers and firefighters.

Although the council was expected to vote on the 2013 budget, the meeting was brief and officials said they would continue it at 5 p.m. Monday.

The council was originally expected to vote on a controversial budget that would call for cutting seven city police officers and 20 fire fighters.

The city said the layoffs will balance the budget and erase a one point five million dollar deficit. The news of the potential layoffs has created a lot of tension in the city between residents and members of the council.

Even officers and fire fighters have joined them saying public safety would be a risk with the layoff. Attempts to mediate differences between the city and the fire department have failed.

According to our news gathering partners, The Herald Bulletin , Circuit Court Judge Dennis Carroll invalidated parts of a union contract with Anderson Fire Fighters that bars layoffs and sets a minimum staffing level.
Carroll said that under Indiana law, city employers have the right to lay off employees based on economic concern.