A rarity from me... in a public forum
Nov. 7th, 2008 12:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
baronessekat(Political but not partisan.)
While getting ready for work this morning I turn on the local news. Mostly I do this to find out the weather and traffic reports but I do actually listen some to the rest of the broadcasts too.
Today I learned that there is something going on with the County budget that I have strong objection to. Turns out that the 2009 budget has completely removed any funding to Cornell Cooperative Extension. Totally gone. Not just cut.
For those that do not know, Cornell Cooperative Extension does a lot. How it effected me and my life growing up is that it is the program through with the NYS 4-H program is run. From the ages of 8-17 (I could have stayed in at 18 but I went off to college in another county so that made it difficult for me to participate) I was a VERY active member. I sewed, I learned to cook, I learned woodworking, photography, basic electrical stuff. Through 4-H I learned how to be able to stand before a group of 2 to 300 and give a speech or demonstrate how to do something. If it were not for my involvement in 4-H I would not have learned the confidence needed for much of what I do everyday now.
Even now I volunteer to be a judge at the annual Public Presentations (public speaking and demonstrations). And if the county fair did not fall during Pennsic I would be helping out by being a judge there too.
4-H is more than just a bunch of farm kids raising animals. It is a very worthwhile organization that helps educate and enrich the lives of young people.
But I hear now that Erie County finds that it is not that important of a program. That it and the other things that Cooperative Extension offers isn't worth anything.
Back when I was active there were 4 agents, and a host of support staff with an office suite of 8 rooms. Back in 2005 the budget was cut and they were forced to go to 1 agent with 1 room and a closet. Back in 2005 Cornell University came through with emergency funding. But the report is that this time the emergency funding is not coming should the budget pass.
So I find that this weekend will see me digging up the contact information for all of the county legislature, not just my own representative, not to mention the County Executive and the County Control Board and writing letters.
The news report said that right now several legislators are opposed to the complete removal of Cooperative Extension from the budget but that there is not enough right now to override the County Executive.
I might not be much, but I am a voice and as an citizen and a former 4-H member and current supporter it is my obligation to express to my elected representation my opinion on the matter.
While getting ready for work this morning I turn on the local news. Mostly I do this to find out the weather and traffic reports but I do actually listen some to the rest of the broadcasts too.
Today I learned that there is something going on with the County budget that I have strong objection to. Turns out that the 2009 budget has completely removed any funding to Cornell Cooperative Extension. Totally gone. Not just cut.
For those that do not know, Cornell Cooperative Extension does a lot. How it effected me and my life growing up is that it is the program through with the NYS 4-H program is run. From the ages of 8-17 (I could have stayed in at 18 but I went off to college in another county so that made it difficult for me to participate) I was a VERY active member. I sewed, I learned to cook, I learned woodworking, photography, basic electrical stuff. Through 4-H I learned how to be able to stand before a group of 2 to 300 and give a speech or demonstrate how to do something. If it were not for my involvement in 4-H I would not have learned the confidence needed for much of what I do everyday now.
Even now I volunteer to be a judge at the annual Public Presentations (public speaking and demonstrations). And if the county fair did not fall during Pennsic I would be helping out by being a judge there too.
4-H is more than just a bunch of farm kids raising animals. It is a very worthwhile organization that helps educate and enrich the lives of young people.
But I hear now that Erie County finds that it is not that important of a program. That it and the other things that Cooperative Extension offers isn't worth anything.
Back when I was active there were 4 agents, and a host of support staff with an office suite of 8 rooms. Back in 2005 the budget was cut and they were forced to go to 1 agent with 1 room and a closet. Back in 2005 Cornell University came through with emergency funding. But the report is that this time the emergency funding is not coming should the budget pass.
So I find that this weekend will see me digging up the contact information for all of the county legislature, not just my own representative, not to mention the County Executive and the County Control Board and writing letters.
The news report said that right now several legislators are opposed to the complete removal of Cooperative Extension from the budget but that there is not enough right now to override the County Executive.
I might not be much, but I am a voice and as an citizen and a former 4-H member and current supporter it is my obligation to express to my elected representation my opinion on the matter.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-07 05:47 pm (UTC)Hell
ash
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-07 06:03 pm (UTC)You go, girl!!!
I'd offer to send a letter, too
Date: 2008-11-07 06:21 pm (UTC)I did 4H when I was 13-15ish, before we moved to where my folks are living now. Writing off 4H is more than writing off farming. It's writing off a whole culture of learning to do with your hands and teaching.
They may also require a program of funds-raising, like the Boy Sprouts do it.
--H
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-07 08:38 pm (UTC)Make some calls, send some letters, be heard.