To the editor:
The dramatic freezes and cuts to personnel and programs at the national level are filtering down to us at the local level.
The Feb. 11 Board of Commissioners meeting highlighted two different responses to what was then a freeze but has since turned into thousands of job terminations. When one commissioner expressed concern about the effect this was having on many local programs, such as “Meals on Wheels”, two other commissioners dismissed them. Both suggested that the state could “reorganize some programs,” and one cautioned that expressing any concern about program cuts would only serve to increase fear and anxiety.
In addition, one of these same commissioners subsequently voted against directing some of the Tribe’s 2% funds to Leelanau Christian Neighbors; he was in a minority and the funding was approved by most of the commissioners. But if these commissioners are unconcerned about the loss of federal funding and, at the same time, don’t support local funding, one can only wonder if they think our government has any role in assisting our population? If you’re concerned about the survival of programs that keep some of our neighbors fed, sheltered and functioning, let our commissioners know that they bear some responsibility for their constituents’ welfare.
Sue Miller Lake Leelanau
