Ruth Larson: Belknap County budget cuts created series of hardships

To The Daily Sun,

The draconian cuts made to the proposed budget by the Belknap County delegation are so extreme that they jeopardize programs and institutions supported by people of almost all political views. Do county residents really want to see our nursing home put at risk? The budget cut almost 7 % of the proposed amount from the nursing home, creating a variety of hardships, including in dietary services and oxygen therapy. Shelley Richardson, the Nursing Home Administrator, has shown a remarkable ability to provide an excellent facility on minimal funds, but she cannot be expected to work miracles. Do the leaders of the delegation, who pushed through all the cuts, not understand that the nursing home makes money for the county? If the cuts result in fewer patients, that will harm residents who want to see their loved ones in need of care being housed locally rather than being shipped to more distant facilities. And it will harm  taxpayers, as the revenue otherwise received by the county will be reduced.

The extreme budget cuts also put the CORE program of our Corrections Center at risk. When the new jail facility was built, it was understood that the dorm style type of facility that was chosen was not a traditional jail simply meant to house inmates, but rather a modern rehabilitative facility with intensive programs to reduce recidivism by addressing substance abuse and mental health problems. Years ago, when it was first scheduled to open, the then delegation balked at funding the programs, and the people of Belknap County loudly and persistently voiced their support for the programs. They were eventually funded, and they have been a resounding success. Pre-pandemic, recidivism in Belknap County was reduced by 65%. This is exactly what the County needs, not just because it’s the humane way to approach the problems of substance abuse and mental health issues, but because it saves money in the long run for the taxpayers. The people of Belknap County understand that, even if our delegation does not.

The nihilistic approach of the delegation leaders is consistent with their extremist anti-government view. Other delegation members simply followed them without having a clue as to what they were doing. For example, Rep. Littlefield (Laconia) stated in a recent letter that cutting the amount to be raised from taxes by 11% resulted in Laconia taxpayers realizing a 11% reduction in their property taxes. On the average property of $300,000, he thought that meant savings of about $592. How confused he was, apparently not understanding what a small portion of our property taxes comes from the county part. In fact, the savings will be approximately $37 per year.

The delegation leaders apparently believe that the people of Belknap County are so deluded by the constant drumbeat of “low taxes” that they will willingly sacrifice the highly successful nursing home and corrections center programs to save $37 a year. If you disagree with what they have done, let them know. Your voice counts.

Ruth Larson

Alton