Here & There Column 10-12-10

Cutting Sheriff's Patrol Poor Judgement

Putting the citizens of Sullivan County at risk could become a real serious issue if the Sullivan County Legislature goes ahead with a proposal to cut down in size the Sullivan County sheriff's road patrol deputies.
The Legislature may propose a $1 million cut from the road patrol's $5.6 million budget and if this becomes a reality it would result in the layoff of about 15 deputies.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's road patrol presently consists of a total of 40 deputies, just barely enough to give residents of Sullivan County the protection they need and deserve.
Let us not forget the size of Sullivan County and the many rural areas that need the protection and services provided by their local Sheriff's department.
Figures released by the county point out that the sheriff's department makes up a little more then two percent of the total county budget.
Police and fire protection are two of the most important services one can ask for and cutting or reducing any part of these services is not acceptable.
Yes, we understand very clearly that Sullivan County along with all other municipalities are faced with budgets that have to be trimmed, but, government also does not seem to understand that there are certain parts of their budgets that effect the overall well-being of their citizens and police and fire protection are these two areas.
Of course it all comes down to our property tax nightmare which in simple terms means that if folks demand services then property taxes will be increased, but, are there alternatives to an increase in property taxes?
The call to consolidate local municipalities, school districts and state agencies may become the only real solution.
Let local village and towns keep their names and give fair representation in newly formed municipalities. Online information, telephone's and email all reduce the need for so many municipal agencies. One municipality can manage large areas with modern technology.
The longer government refuses to merge and consolidate the more difficult it will become to keep property taxes at an acceptable rate.
Property taxes now are doing nothing more than driving folks out of the state.....as one woman told me the other day, "I can't wait for my husband to retire and sell our house which we will probably take a loss on and leave this state of taxation."
We concur with statements that if it were private enterprise government long ago would have gone bankrupt and new government would have replaced it.