Citizens of Regina, particularly those who have an interest in our city's history, should be paying careful attention to the proposed 2007 municipal budget. It contains what appears to be a substantial cut to the budget of the city clerk's office.

Why is this of concern? Because among the responsibilities of the city clerk's office is to ensure that city records of ongoing historical value are preserved in the City of Regina archives, where they can be consulted by the public.

And the public certainly has come to rely on the City of Regina archives to help them with research projects.

Genealogists have used the index to burials in the old Regina Cemetery to facilitate family history research.

Home and business owners, architects and developers wanting to research the history of a heritage building have all found the building permit records housed there to be an invaluable resource.

Students at the University of Regina have written term papers and graduate theses based on the extensive research they undertook in the records of the city commissioner's/city manager's office, the city clerk's office and other city departments.

Professors at the University of Regina and elsewhere have made use of these sources, too, and in the process have created a substantial body of scholarly literature on the history and accomplishments of our city.

The City of Regina Archives has been a testament to the willingness of successive city councils to ensure that our collective history as a city is preserved and made accessible to those who want to research that history.

Will these proposed budget cuts seriously impair the ability of the City of Regina Archives to continue to serve the many researchers who now make use of this institution?

This question needs to be posed to our mayor and city councillors as they discuss and approve this year's budget.

Dr. Bill Brennan