all independent observers will agree that 95% of member item money goes to vitally important services to vulnerable populations in nieghborhoods that need services. it is time that media takes a serious look at the good being done by the member items, not simply play "gotcha" to put another political trophy head on the wall. End member items? First let's really look and see how many lives it improves before we allow the rhetorical exagerations of fat newspaper publishers who want to endear themselves with our out of touch mayor.