I've noticed a few ways in which services have declined over the past few months.

Snow removal. We live close enough to the loop be be considered part of the downtown area (North of Harrison). In previous years you couldn't even tell it had snowed within a couple hours of the snowstorm's end. This year there are still piles of snow everywhere, and the snow hasn't been cleaned away from the curbs. Noticable difference.

I've also noticed that this year the city didn't put winter greens in the hanging flower baskets (the ones on the light poles) this year they're just sitting there emply. Not a high priority, but they sure did look nice.

Unfortunately, the cutbacks seem to have not reached the dreaded "green vest" people who do nothing but snarl otherwise free-flowing traffic.

Other cutbacks you've noticed?

Temporary pothole "fills" after snowplows.

It seemed there were crews out filling the major craters after the roads had been scraped up with a steel blade, even if it were in January.

Now, I cannot tell you the number of canyons on Damen and/or Ashland between Fullerton and Grand (roughly). These are major streets, and to avoid several thousand dollars worth of wheel and tire damage, I need to drive as if it were a slalom test.

They are too busy worring about parking tickets. I live in a neighborhood where you need a 'zone' parking pass for visitors after a certain time. On Christmas Day (at PM) our street was empty, but a quest forgot to put a pass on his car and was ticketed. It was like our Christmas Card from the city.

How about today's announcement of the July 3rd fireworks? Bummer.

And no Venetian Night .

Some neighborhhods like the six corners area seem to have less of a police presence. Maybe a new donut shop opened?