East Scarborough unemployment may be eased by the hiring of more workers in the city’s 2009 budget, Ward 44 councillor Ron Moeser says.

It should also provide more staff and funding for local facilities, he said.

“All the new staff will help East Scarborough improve our water facilities and recreation centres,” Ron Moeser said.

The city passed an $8.7-billion budget on March 31, including the hiring of more than 1,000 new city staff and a four per cent property tax increase. However, Ward 37 councillor Michael Thompson dislikes the proposal.

“I didn’t support the hiring of new staff for the city because it wasn’t necessary,” Thompson said.  “One needs to recognize that it isn’t the time to bring in more staff.”