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[almoore]

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Matthew 25:31-46

[BigRedDog]

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Matthew 25:31-46

So a YES vote to save Fairview means a vote to RAISE PROPERTY TAXES...

and then next year how many other SAVES will we have to make

[Frenchfry]

The fate of Fairview, the county infirmary for the homeless, may be decided by Monroe County residents.

As the Monroe County Board of Commissioners continues wrangling with an estimated $7 million deficit in next year’s budget, the county home at 3604 S. Custer Rd. has fallen into sight and its future looks grim.

Board Chairman William Sisk has included closing the facility on a list of items the county board is considering to save the county money. Fairview annually receives about $600,000 a year from the county general fund.

“Recently you passed a very necessary budget resolution which reflects your responsibility to make sure vital services are provided in the areas of public safety, health and welfare of the citizens of Monroe County,” Fairview Supt. Laura Papenhagen wrote in a letter to the board last week.

“The mission of our program addresses these key concerns in an important way,” the letter reads in part. “I do understand that cuts need to be made and there are no easy places to make these cuts. If you decide that you have no other choice but to eliminate our funding, then I urge you to consider a ballot initiative.”

Basically, Mrs. Papenhagen is asking the board to allow voters a chance to determine the fate of the home, which, she reports, annually houses about 80 area residents – 50 of whom graduate into independent living.

A proposal she has drafted, which she says in the letter must still be verified for accuracy, suggests that a .125 mill countywide tax would generate about $737,500 a year. It’s estimated in her letter that such a tax would cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $8 a year.

While the county has been transferring-in about $600,000 a year, the agency’s annual budget has been closer to $1 million a year.

“We would work toward getting this on the May ballot and if passed it would be reflected on the citizens’ December tax bill,” Mrs. Papenhagen wrote, adding that, “For this to be successful, we would need your continued support for the next year.”

That means even if the county board wants to cut the program from its budget, Mrs. Papenhagen is asking the board to fund the agency at least through 2010.

“To continue making a difference in the lives of the homeless, (and) disabled citizens of Monroe County is the right thing to do,” she wrote. “As you have shown an interest in seeking funding through millages for other programs, I would ask that you support Fairview’s efforts as well.”

The conversation about Fairview, and any possible millage request, may be part of a county board special meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The agenda specifies a report by finance department staff detailing those departments that have – and have not – made the budgetary cuts approved by the board in October.

The board then demanded each department cut its own budget by 12.4 percent, roughly the total percentage of anticipated shortfall next year. Having department heads that did not meet the mandate explain why is an agenda item for Tuesday’s special meeting.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the commissioners’ chambers at the Monroe County Courthouse, 125 E. Second St.
http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091116/NEWS01/711169983/-1/NEWS_RSS

$8 a year isn't too bad....actually probably even less considering that figure is based upon a home value of $150K

I'd like to think the wording would ensure the money stays with Fairview so the next budget cut would touch law enforcement.

LE must have something on the Commissioners because while it's mentioned that there must be cuts across the board....law enforcement always escapes unscathed.

Too bad the board doesn't have the courage to do the right thing and instead has their hand out trying to pass the blame to their constituents.

This is going to come back to haunt the Monroe County Board of Commissioners in the next election so you folks better run for that position because the anybody but the incumbent vote is going to be very popular.

[the nosh]

8 dollars here n 8 dollars there...8 dollars for this n 8 dollars for that...i dont think so.

[BigRedDog]

8 dollars here n 8 dollars there...8 dollars for this n 8 dollars for that...i dont think so.

It adds up in a hurry

[the nosh]

It adds up in a hurry

it sure does dog! first the bridges now this? it wont stop you can guarantee that.

[Monique]

8 dollars here n 8 dollars there...8 dollars for this n 8 dollars for that...i dont think so.

God forbid we should help another! What is that, the cost of a pack of smokes? A six pack of bud light? PER YEAR?? Christ, this is what is wrong with this country. 

[BigRedDog]

God forbid we should help another! What is that, the cost of a pack of smokes? A six pack of bud light? PER YEAR?? Christ, this is what is wrong with this country. 

I don't have a problem with helping other people Monique...

I do a lot of that...

the problem being addressed here is the Moroe County Board of Commissioners taking the  support of Fairview out of their "general fund" and creating a "special tax" for it...

They have publicly stated "all county departments" should share equally in reducing their budgets...   so let's do that, not this...

My question again...

if we pass this tax increase this year, what will it be "next year"

Everyone needs to contact their county commissioner and let them know you do not want the funding for Fairview removed from the general fund...

[Monique]

Ok, but if they don't move the funding, then what is the future of this shelter? Kaput? Putting 80 folks on the street (or under Winchester)? All to save us $8 a piece per year? I'll pay the eight bucks, thanks.

Good for you for helping others in other ways, though, BRD. 

[Pax]

The county residents have every right to contribute to their favorite charity cases.  They DO NOT, however, have any right to demand that their neighbors do the same: however laudable the endeavour. . .

[Kingsley]

....law enforcement always escapes unscathed.

If the townships who have contract deputies would pony up the entire cost for their contract deputies, the sheriff's budget would look better. Bedford, Frenchtown and Dundee residents need to pay up or lose their special deputies. Fairview should be saved, although cutting back would be appropriate. The dormitory should be scaled back but can't be closed, since the county is under contract with the state for several more years. Cut some jobs at the courthouse, and let some secretaries or recorders roam around doing work for more than one judge. Time to tighten up the county belt.

[Pax]

Fairview should be saved, although cutting back would be appropriate.

"Should be saved....." by whom?  Why?  If Fairview is a charitable situation (which it appears to be) it isn't the place of the governmental goons in Monroe County or City to be playing Charity Supervisor.  It's out of their realm of responsibilities, and authority, to do otherwise.  I don't for an instant think charity should be abandoned or degraded: but the cheap-imitation of such things offered by those with control over our tax dollars definitely needs to be eliminated.  Forthwith.

[Kingsley]

"Should be saved....." by whom?  Why?  If Fairview is a charitable situation (which it appears to be) it isn't the place of the governmental goons in Monroe County or City to be playing Charity Supervisor.  It's out of their realm of responsibilities, and authority, to do otherwise.  I don't for an instant think charity should be abandoned or degraded: but the cheap-imitation of such things offered by those with control over our tax dollars definitely needs to be eliminated.  Forthwith.

Those who have will help those who do not have. Be thankful you do not need their services. I would rather some of my taxes go to Fairview than to the security guards at the courthouse entrance. I'm sure everyone can see areas to cut. It is not our choice to make. It is up to the commissioners.

[Frenchfry]

I'm not privy to what the townships are paying but I'm quite sure they are being paid handsomely since they're the only game in town.....let's just say they have a captive market.

Each department was supposed to decide which cuts would be made or the cuts would be made for them....I guess someone has a firm grip on the gonads of the Commissioners since they're going after Fairview instead.

I don't how the Monroe County Board of Commissioners can still stand without spines.

[Pax]

It is up to the commissioners.

Did you not read a thing I wrote?  It's quite simple, really is: it is NOT up to the commissioners or any other government employee(s) to decide which charity-case deserves the taxpayer's money.  Fairview is operating under the assumption that it IS the realm of the commissioners to decide such things when it is not their duty or responsibility to do so.  Therefore, to remove all doubt, it should be defunded immediately so all other charitable organizations put their hands back in their own pockets as well.