Archives
[Back] [Email to a Friend] [Printer Friendly Version]
Virtual newsprint edition available
See this story exactly as it appeared on the printed page – photos and all.
Page appears in Adobe Acrobat format. If you don't have Adobe's free Acrobat Reader, download it now.
Human Services Cuts Putting Programs At Breaking Point, Where People Suffer
The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: 9A
Monday, July 19, 2004
Pat Kelly Madison
Dear Editor: Bill Novak's article describing the harm that will befall our fellow citizens if additional cuts are made in the county human services budget was right on point.
I also couldn't help notice the placement of the article right next to the obituaries, as many of the people I know who support people with severe developmental disabilities are beginning to question our ability to provide safe support as we try to manage the cuts we were forced to absorb last year.
As the parent of an adult son with multiple disabilities, and a board member of Dreamweavers, a residential support agency, I am appalled at how here in Dane County, of all places, we are turning our backs on people in dire need.
I'm tired of our every board meeting being taken up with discussions about what else can we cut, how many fewer support hours can our consumers handle, how many additional staff positions can we cut, how can we further reduce salary and benefits for our direct care work force.
My even deeper fear is that our board is starting to ask whether we can continue to operate in a way that provides humane and safe care.
I must say thank you to Beth Gross and Eileen Bruskewitz, two County Board supervisors who have the courage to stand up publicly and say "no more cuts to human services." During last spring's County Board elections and last year's county budget debate, numerous other supervisors spoke of their strong support for human services. I look forward to these supervisors stepping forward with the same strength of character that Supervisors Gross and Bruskewitz have shown.
