As Vice Mayor Kerry Donley often says, council members are elected to make decisions. 

They did just that Tuesday night by funding holiday lights through March but denying Councilwoman Alicia Hughes request to buy hot meals for seniors on Sundays through the Meals on Wheels program.

Where I come from, Ive been told, Do not withhold good when it is in your power to do so, so I look at substance versus technicality, Hughes said.

Hughes nor Meals on Wheels formally requested the money for the program, risking a poor precedent of playing favorites, council members said.

I dont think we should do funding for human services based on who had the last meeting with a member of council and which jackpot they win as a result of that, Councilman Rob Krupicka said. Thats not how you do this. There are lives at stake I struggle with using one program as a battering ram against others.

Processes aside, council members admitted hypocrisy, at least the perception of it.

Alicias right that were on the surface tonight a bit hypocritical with the majority of the council approving lights and maybe voting a against a provision like this, Councilman Paul Smedberg said. I think we have to be fair about that point.

The council agreed to examine the $20,000 cost of the program during the budget process, which commenced Tuesday.