Ashland County's Slush Fund

[estherlike]

Very few people are aware of the fact that Ashland County currently has over $29 million in investment accounts. Many of these are Cd accounts that are maturing in 2009. Instead of using these funds, our Commissioners are continuing to cut the budget of the County Departments to dangerous levels. As of the meeting on June 25, the County Coroner stated there have been, so far this year, 4 autopsies that SHOULD have been done that were NOT done because he was out of money in his autopsy fund. This same meeting saw the Commissioners cutting budgets by a collective $400,000. This is in addition to the earlier cuts this year.

The Commissioners should consider drawing on these "rainy day" funds to get the county through this economic downturn. Once the county is back on its feet, they can look into re-investing at that time, but at this point in our country's economy I don't see why our county should be laying off workers and cutting budgets when we have these funds available.

You can view the document from the County Treasurer at our website www.caofac.org.

Also on this site is the list of Commissioner requested expenses for 2008 and so far in 2009. This list shows who was paid, what the payment was for and the amount. Still to come this weekend will be a detailed accounting of the monthly cost for the 7 former Heartland Home residents now under the care of MRDD.

[polygons]

Nobody wants to believe the government in this county would treat us voters like commoners. I find it all very disappointing & very sad. Man, who can you trust? Wish I could look in the mirror in the morning...

[estherlike]

:oDid anyone else know we pay for an Amish Safety Commission? I sure didn't.

[gunny]

What is the Amish Safety Commission? That sounds like they teach Pennsylvania Dutch to our safety officials so they can understand them in their original language!

[estherlike]

:oYou know, Gunny, I have no idea. I just did a search online for "Amish Safety Commission" and could not find anything. Anybody have any idea what the "Amish Safety Commission" is? I will try next week to find out.

[estherlike]

This article is the closest I could come to "Amish Safety Commission" Apparently, we, the taxpayers of Ashland County and other Amish communities, have to pay for education on Amish buggy safety while the Amish community has to pay for nothing. ftp.dot.state.oh.us/communications/et/eapril00.pdf

[gunny]

Thanks Estherlike,

I read the article and think it should be expanded to other slow moving vehicles - like farm equipment, lawn tractors and any other slow moving vehicles. Can anyone imagine having "English" inspectors going on Amish farms to inspect the buggies? The State has tried to get slow moving vehicle signs on them for years and it is fought as against their religion. The article was good reading and a source of discussion in my house - Thanks