KINGSTON – Despite the controversy that was raised about the 2010 budget cuts at the recent public hearing, the community’s attention shifted Tuesday night at the Kingston Common Council meeting from layoffs in the police department to budget cuts in the recreation department.

Resident Steve Peruso, who has been associated with the recreation department and their activities for five decades, feels that cutting programs would put many of the city’s youth back on the streets and become a “combination for disaster” along with layoffs in the police department.  “We’re going to unleash a thousand kids onto the street,” Peruso said.

“At the same time; on the other hand, we’re going to take policemen off of the street. To me that’s a recipe for disaster.”

Hurley resident Jessica Oakley, who is part of an adult softball league, says that people aren’t ready for the ripple effect that will be felt throughout the community from the impact on local youth to the impact on local businesses.

According to Oakley upwards of 700 people participate in the adult softball league and cutting the budget of the recreation department would eliminate the opportunity to bring those patrons to local establishments.

After the game usually you go to a local bar or restaurant and everyone gets together,” she said of playing in the league, “these are all things that are going to stop if that’s eliminated.”

“It’s just not a good idea,” Oakley said. “There’s got to be other solutions.”

Meanwhile, the council continues to review the spending plan as proposed by the mayor.