[elbucko]

"...Councilman Ron Ikejiri said. "Revenue is secondary."

That may be true. But the money is sorely needed in this city,....facing a $26 million bill for a debt that's due Aug. 31.

Exactly. The City of Gardena is facing a $36M balloon payment due on a city council approved bogus business deal. Oh, it's the money all right.

[elbucko]

And it is, {Gardena's budget] by all accounts, quite a mess, dating to two programs begun in 1993 -- a city-backed insurance company and a first-time home-buyers program. Both failed and left Gardena a $26 million bill that had to be paid in December 2004.

The reason that the City of Gardena, CA, is in serious debt to the tune of $36M. Traffic safety is commendable, but good government is a pre-requisite.