The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Thursday, May 15, 2003

Opinions offered on human services

The Mercer County Branch of the Pennsylvania Economy League and the League of Women Voters of Mercer County developed five questions for the 12 candidates for Mercer County commissioner. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to 75 words. Some of the longer responses were edited by The Herald to comply. The following are their answers to one of the five questions. The other answers were published in the Sunday through Wednesday.

How do the current and future demographics of Mercer County impact the county's provision of human and social services, particularly in light of declining state revenue and service levels that are mandated and increasing?

   » OLIVIA LAZOR: Mercer County has a significant percentage of older citizens. People are living longer and desire to remain at home. To fulfill demands, service delivery adjustments are made like adding more in-home programs. We meet increased requirements by attracting state and federal dollars to fund those human services needs so that our county's share is only eleven cents on the dollar. The state's budget challenges counties annually; experienced leadership is needed to get our fair share.

   » JAMES T. KAIBAS: County taxes have increased by sizable proportions in the past two years and taxpayers are demanding that we cut waste and better utilize our tax revenues. The burden of the county judicial system has put undue stress on our county budget. For example, the state allots $70,000 for each judge to cover salaries of a secretary, clerk, recorder and officer. This falls short by $20,000 to $30,000 and the county makes up the difference. If the state would, as mandated by the courts, fund all judicial administration, tax increases would not be needed and a surplus would be available for other expenses.

   » GEORGE POKRANT: Mercer County's population is aging, and that impacts the economy in many ways. One of which would be the cost and demand for health/human service dollars, which we need to address and satisfy. An answer to this issue would be to increase the tax base to allow Mercer County to meet these demands. That can be accomplished through increasing the available jobs and attracting our youth to stay or come to Mercer County, which would increase our revenues. Another approach would be to streamline costs and develop economies of scale or new approaches to the delivery of these services.

   » GLENN DOSCH: My hope is the current trend of demographics can be changed to reflect a younger growing county. It is my opinion that since our current commissioner-based government has its hands tied by the state legislature. They only have one choice to generate the needed revenue to finance the human social services required, the property tax. This is why I advocate Home Rule. Home Rule will allow us to raise revenue from outside Mercer County.

   » THOMAS J. LIMBER, JR.: Current and future county demographics indicate an increase in an aged population. Many of these seniors are also veterans. I am committed to providing services to those who need them, but will be mindful to the tax dollars being spent. I believe that there will be a need for social service and human service agencies to be thrifty in their spending. I would like to encourage more volunteers and voluntary organizations to become involved with those social concerns that have been in recent years paid for by the state or county, such as Meals on Wheels, Homecare to Elderly, etc.

   » JOE PHILLIPS: The current demographics promote large funding usage for human and social services. If, there is not a change in the demographics for the future this means Human and Social services will eat up even more of the budget. The commissioners must be innovative on how services are provided for human and social services. Assessment must be made of all programs to see if they can be contracted out to provide for smaller government.

   » RICHARD McMAHON: Services that are mandated by "outsiders" that do not match our local service needs must be challenged in their inception. Once implemented, it is too late and it is impossible to abolish them. I believe it is incumbent upon any Board of Commissioners to regain and retain more oversight of these vast sums of money to assure compliance and avoid possible duplication of services. Cooperation with providers is a must.

   » MARY BUCKWALTER: The current demographics of Mercer County include an aging population and a current economic slump creating an under-utilized work force. This increases demand on the human and social services and drives up such expenditures. Without the tax revenues to cover these expenditures, solutions must be found to provide adequate services more efficiently and effectively. It is expected that with an improved economy the county's demographics will change and these demands will diminish.

   » THOMAS DILL: That with an increasing elderly population on fixed income, state mandated services increasing, and eighty percent of the county budget controlled by the court system, a new determination of spending of taxpayer dollars must be implemented. The county Commissioners cannot continue to raise taxes to balance the budget.

   » MICHELE BROOKS: Demographics indicate increasing numbers of single-parent households and increasing number of families below poverty level. The census indicates 34.5 percent of the county's population is between 30-54 years, 18.8 percent is between 55-74 years versus 11.2 percent between 20-29. These demographics have important implications. Different agencies addressing public service issues have become non-profit organizations, allowing them to vie for revenues other than county. Service organizations and volunteerism will always play a significant role in service issues.

   » BRIAN BEADER: As I search to try and find the silver lining, I'm concerned because the numbers are alarming. The demographics show there is to be a large train wreck ahead of its funding to this department in which we are mandated to provide. I understand the importance of human services to our residents and will work diligently to find creative ways of providing without increasing costs.

   » BRUCE A. RICHAEL: Must provide best possible services in most cost effective way for children, special needs persons, and senior citizens.



Back to TOP // Herald Local news // Local this day's headlines // Herald Home page



Questions/comments: online@sharonherald.com

Copyright ©2003 The Sharon Herald Co. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or retransmission in any form is prohibited without our permission.

030509