DETROIT – Cuts in city bus services along with hundreds of
police and firefighting jobs could be made because of the city council’s
proposed $50 million in cuts to the 2011-12 budget.

Bing had vetoed the cuts earlier but the council overrode
it. Bing told the Detroit Free Press that if the cuts aren’t withdrawn, the
People Mover could be shut down, two recreation centers could be closed, police
patrols could be stopped, Belle Isle beach could be closed, Hart Plaza events
could be stopped, and 24-hour bus services could end among other drastic
reductions.

Eight of nine council members approved the $50 million cuts and say
Bing’s budget is too optimistic on revenues; the cuts include $8.3 million cut
from police, $4.1 million from the firefighting services, and $7.8 million from
the transportation department of the city, which runs buses. James Tate was the
only councilman who voted against them.