Kim Wolfe's State of the City

At his 2010 State of the City Address, Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe gave a grim outlook for the future of city workers. He put furloughs and pink slips on the table.

In an effort to cut the budget, Mayor Wolfe proposed laying off civilian positions at the police department. He says he is trying to avoid laying off trained police officers, but this move would still keep them from doing their job – something Police Chief Skip Holbrook says he is not happy about.

"This was a swift kick in the gut to know there's a potential we'll have to reduce front line staff to keep the police department running – just at an efficient rate," Holbrook said.

If the mayor's plan is passed by City Council, as many as eight officers could be pulled off the street and put behind desks. Laying off civilian workers, like secretaries, would mean police officers would have to pull double duty – picking up where the clerical staff left off.

It's a controversial move, especially after the most recent round of bar shootings this past weekend.

Three people were shot at random after a fight broke out on a dance floor at a Huntington nightclub. While that was news, it wasn't new news. Back in November 2009, one man was shot and killed and other were injured at a bar just a few blocks away. Same story, different bar back in 2008, when a former Marshall University football player was shot and killed at another nightclub shooting.

"The biggest issue is always protecting citizens," Mayor Wolfe said after his speech. "Part of the government is protecting citizens."

Chief Holbrook may not think taking officers off the street is a good idea, but he says he supports the mayor's decision.

The same proposal has been made for members of Huntington's Fire Department.

The unpaid, 20-day forced time off Mayor Wolfe proposed would affect all City employees, except himself and Council. He says that would save the city more than $1 million.

Mayor Wolfe says he's keeping his glass half full, though, and that these proposals are "worst case scenarios." Final budgeting decision will be made after four weeks of speical meetings, starting February 27.