[Winona Online Democracy] Hello Bob and Terry,
Terry, I agree with you. The money spent on the sprinklyer system at the Highway Department was a mistake. As a result of that action, Department Heads have been asked to delay any and all plans like that even if money had already been allocated for it in the budget. Bob, at the County Board meeting before last, I brought up cutting all per diem expenses for Commissioners. Marcia Ward agreed with me but we lost on a 3-2 vote. You're singing to the choir on this one. Please share your feedback with the other 3 Commissioners. I have also brought up the wage freeze proposal, starting with the Commissioners first. At best, that proposal saves about $200,000...a long ways from solving the bigger problem. I want to review one of the numbers that Craig Brooks mentioned in his longer e-mail. Even if the County Board raises taxes to the limit of 11%, which we do not want to do, we will still be about 1.1 - 1.5 million dollars short. There is going to have to be big cuts in some areas. We can't nickel and dime ourselves out of this mess. I have to say it again, this is what "no new (state) taxes" looks like. This is a State Legislature/Governor problem that has been passed on to the Counties, Cities, and School Boards. I agree with Arlene Prosen, this the case study in being penny wise and pound foolish. :-< Dwayne Voegeli ============== >From: "Robert P Kaldunski" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Dwayne Voegeli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 23:06:08 -0500 > >[Winona Online Democracy] > >Dwayne, The one cut I didn't hear or see anything about is a 15% cut in >Commissioners Wages. When doe this happen or did you all vote for a raise??? >Bob K > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Dwayne Voegeli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 10:44 PM >Subject: [Winona] County Budget Cuts > > >> [Winona Online Democracy] >> >> Hello Kathy and Others, >> >> About the possibility of the Women's Resource Funding losing all of it's >> County funding and the other big cuts to the other Outside Agencies that >> the County helps fund.... >> >> 1. Yes, it's a very real possibility. I disagree with it but it is a >> possibility. Sadly, the Women's Resource Center is only the tip of the >> iceberg. >> >> :-< >> >> >> 2. It is only one of many recommendations that have come forth from the >> County's Department Heads to balance the County's projected 2.4 - 2.6 >> million dollar deficit. Gotta love Governor Pawlenty and that "no new >> (state) tax" pledge. >> >> >> 3. In all fairness, it's not the only "Outside Agency" that is being >> recommened for small or large cuts from County funding; Historical >> Society--lose all $51,000, Big Brothers/Big Sisters--lose all $15,000, >> Catholic Charities--lose $25,000 of it's $75,000, 3 local libraries would >> lose a combined $49,000, Humane Society--all of it's $5,000, Farmers >> Park--all of it's $18,829 and the list goes on....sadly! >> >> >> 4. I think and hope that most of those drastic cuts will not pass. They >> are only reccomendations that the County Commissioners can choose to >adopt, >> revise, or turn down. Still though, it's very important to contact the >> Commissioners and let your voices be heard. >> >> >> Yes, some cuts will have to be made in these areas but most of these are >> examples of being penny wise and pound foolish. >> >> To see the many other examples, go to the County's web page and the >Finance >> Department link at: >> >> www.co.winona.mn.us >> >> I hope that if enough people express how much they care about and value >> these programs, that we can turn this Taxpayers League tide around. >> >> Dwayne Voegeli >> >> ==================== >> >> >> >From: "Kathy Seifert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >To: "Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 13:28:14 -0500 >> >Status: >> > >> >It's been called to my attention that the county board has proposed to >> >eliminate any funding for victims of sexual and domestic assault (in >> >addition to many other services, of course). I did some checking and >> >discovered that the amount the county has provided to the Women's >Resource >> >Center (WRC) to provide these services has remained steady for the past >10 >> >or so years while the number of individuals served has significantly >> >increased. They have been doing more with less since the organization >was >> >formed 25 years ago. County funding provides for about 8% of the annual >> >budget for the WRC. I suspect that this is a significant blow to those >do >> >such significant and emotional work--assisting those who have been >> >physically or sexually assaulted, often by someone whom they love. >> > >> >I'm also aware that the move of U of M-Extension offices to Rochester >will >> >significantly affect the ability of residents to access these services >and >> >that county funds for these services are also on the "chopping block." >> > >> >I suggest that we share other examples of the proposed cuts and how >> >services will be affected. In addition I encourage that we, as >> >individuals, contact our elected officials and make our concerns known. >> >It is simple to go to the website and click on or cut and paste email >> >addresses to send a message. >> > >> >What do you think? What other cuts are you aware of? >> > >> >Kathy Seifert >> >> ------------ >> >> Dwayne Voegeli >> >> Winona County Commissioner, District #2 >> >> (507) 453-9012 >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. >> Winona, MN 55987 >> >> ------------ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy >> All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. >> No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. >> To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit >> http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona >> Any problems or suggestions can be directed to >> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact >page at >> http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org >> > > >_______________________________________________ >This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy >All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. >No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. >To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit >http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona >Any problems or suggestions can be directed to >mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
