Ohio mayor cuts grass himself in city park

[May 18, 2009]  TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio mayor is asking residents to grab a mower and help him cut the grass in city parks.

Budget cuts mean Toledo has hired fewer seasonal workers to keep its parks tidy, so Mayor Carty Finkbeiner (FINK'-by-nur) was out with a mower doing the job Saturday at a park near his home. About 10 city administrative employees joined him, on their own time.

Finkbeiner says he plans to spend the next several Saturdays on yard duty at the parks. Administrators say the city is making do with about half of the 80 employees hired last summer to mow parks and cemeteries.

[Associated Press]

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