To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CHARLOTTE -- Mecklenburg County commissioners faced an onslaught of pleas, opinions and requests at their annual budget public hearing on Thursday.

The recommended spending plan, if approved as is, would layoff hundreds of employees and slash more than $80 million from county departments including deep cuts to Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, the public library and park and recreation.

The hearing was far from over at 9 p.m. Thursday as more than 70 scheduled speakers signed up to give their two cents on a wide range of county funded things, many of which face a large budget ax.

In a packed chambers at Government Center, dozens of speakers didn’t hold back. Many Mecklenburg County veterans, some paralyzed, urged commissioners ‘not’ to follow through with a recommendation to eliminate half of the veterans services office positions.

“Look around. We’re all volunteers, the ultimate volunteers,” Twila Adams. “We all pledge to protect our lives the flag.”

Others showed their support for the public library. It’s recommended to lose nearly half of its county funding, which library leaders said could result in more than a dozen community branches closing and layoffs.

“Some of my first grade students do not have books at home to read,” said Alyssa Fischer. “They rely on the public libraries.”

The last speaker for the public hearing is scheduled to take the podium Friday at 1 a.m.

Stay with News 14 Carolina for updates from the public hearing.