Supervisors had a late night budget cutting session that netted approximately 6.7 million savings in the first year but many of the cuts were one year suspension of services that don’t yield much savings in the 5 year plan.  In terms of ‘illegal immigration’ the additional police staffing of 6 officers and 1 support staff civilian that were requested were removed; however Chairman Stewart made it clear that it does not mean that officers will not be perfoming those duties.  Interestingly, Chief Deane pointed out that if we were to be competitive with some surrounding jurisdictions we would be looking at hiring 100-200 officers instead of the 36 that he initially requested.  Also, the cameras for the police cruisers have at least temporarily been removed.  If staff determines the cameras are required to mitigate liabilities resulting from a lawsuit they can be reintroduced.  Still on the table for possible reductions are 85 County employees layoffs which could account for another 5 million.  The end result being a 5% increase for residential properties & a 28.6% increase on the average commercial tax bill.

113 Thoughts to “Budget Recap”

  1. Juturna

    Am amazed at the range of services being cut without allowing time for community imput. Of course last night was the first time anyone saw what the supervisors have proposed. Some process…

  2. Elena

    So, it sounds like they are cutting officers and the camera’s but 287g for regular police force stays in place. Sounds to me like ciitzen concerns, once again, were ignored. This is truly a disappointment. Although I did not listen to the entire mark-up, Frank Principi asked a great question to Chief Deane regarding the impact of not having enough police officers.

    The double foreclosure rate in PWC is an abberation to our other counties, whose foreclosure rates are much lower. Chief Deane pointed out the added concern the residential and commercial vacancies will have on police intervention.

    http://www.policymattersohio.org/media/DR_Study_Foreclosures_Have_Widespread_Financial_Impact_2005_0719.htm

    “Collateral Damage: The Municipal Impact of Today’s Mortgage Foreclosure Boom,”
    authored by William Agpar, senior scholar and Mark Duda, research fellow at the Joint
    Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, concluded that the foreclosure of a
    single family home – especially one that leaves the home vacant and unsecured can
    generate direct municipal costs in excess of $30,000 per property.

    Typical expenses include loss of tax revenue, costs associated with managing the
    foreclosure process, building inspections, increased policing, increased fire department
    activity (due to arson and/or vandalism), demolition costs and increased demand for social
    service programs.

    “Left unchecked, the nationwide municipal cost of foreclosures could easily top the $1
    billion mark – money that is annually being diverted from meeting other pressing urban
    needs,” Agpar stated.

  3. I’m wondering how it is that, if the Rule of Law resolution is so destructive of business in the County, commercial property assessments have held firm (or not dropped so precipitously) that a tax increase will impose an actual increase four times greater than that for residential property owners? I’m perfectly willing to accept the proposition that County assessors are “fudging” the numbers for businesses, but it seems to me to be a fact that belies the Chicken Littles who make the claim that the Rule of Law resolution harms business in the County.

  4. “The Rule of Law” is the “immigration resolution.” I don’t care what they want to call it. They don’t have a “Rule of Law” to protect general laws and ordinances, so once again, we see the targeting of minorities.

    That being said, Elena, you did a FOIA on the emails that helped get the resolution passed. They BOCS didn’t look at the sources and they ignored thousands of protests. Combine this miscarriage of democratic process with the irresponsible spending and raising of our tax dollars, and we have grounds for a civil lawsuit or at least grounds for a recall. There is no way the BOCS can legally get away with this. I’m waiting for the Office of Civil Rights to step in here somewhere.

    Hiding in my heart and mind is the belief that justice will prevail.

  5. Moon-howler

    Elena, ONE special citizen was not ignored. More later on that.

    I find it interesting that County Attorney Horton strongly recommended the squad car cameras and County Executive Officer Gerhart recommended the cameras, but Corey Stewart just didn’t think they were necessary and John Stirrup felt they would be law suit magnets. Perhaps if the county is sued, these 2 gentlemen would pay the judgement and the legal fees from their own pockets?

    What ever happened to those famous words to Chief Deane from our supervisors last fall? We will get you what you need to do the job. Lies, Lies and more lies.

  6. “ONE special citizen was not ignored.” Was it Alanna or Elena? Come on! The suspense is killing me!!! : )

  7. I suppose we could debate semantics, kgotthardt. You choose your euphemism (or, I suppose in this case, malphemism, if that’s a word); I prefer accuracy. I note, however, that you didn’t address the real point. However, addressing your point, if I were you, I wouldn’t hold my breath “waiting for the Office of Civil Rights to step in here somewhere.” It’s not about “targeting of minorities,” particularly since those “minorities” here lawfully are both respected and appreciated by many of those who support the Rule of Law Resolution, including Chairman Stewart, whose wife is an immigrant herself.

    As for your suggestion, Moon-howler, good luck with that. As someone who frequently names public officials in lawsuits (for hearing their master’s voice, when that master is a union official), I can’t say I’d mind your suggestion.

    BTW, would you apply your rule retroactively, and hold Sharon Pandak liable for the Kenny Parsons fiasco?

    Didn’t think so.

  8. Moon-howler

    KG,

    I fear both those ladies were ignored.

  9. Moon-howler

    James Young,

    One fight at a time. I never knew the details of your other fiasco so I cannot comment. I just see a train wreck in front of me now and will deal with the current sad state of affairs.

  10. Luckyduck

    The police were promised whatever they needed to enforce the immigration law and now Stewart is simply cutting all those items out of the budget. He cut the camera request and the staffing request yet he wants the resolution enforced to the fullest extent.

    Let me explain what I found out…the police department trained 6 people for ICE or the 287(G) program in February with the understanding from the BOCS that those positions would be backfilled or replaced in this budget. So now they are cutting those positions out of the budget. Well folks, most of those officers who were trained came from Patrol squads. So YOUR community is short one police officer EVERY shift to respond to calls for service. The only way to get around this violation of staffing requirements is to pay overtime to an off duty officer to work extra to meet staffing levels. Is this any way to run a County Government?

  11. Moon-howler

    More budget recap—-

    Suggestions have been offered for ways to save money.
    My first recommendation for a RIF would be the supervisor at large – Chairman. We can go back to one per magisterial district and they elect a chairman from their group of 7. This is a good place to start as it would eliminate the at-large position as well as the accompanying staff.

    I am curious how the at-large chairman feels it is appropriate to spend in excess of $30,000 to send out invitations to a BOCS meeting last fall but doesn’t give the county supervisors any heads up as to the $21 million dollar proposed budget cuts he suggested last night. Last night was the first they saw of the suggestions. They had no time to digest the proposed cuts at all.

    Blitzkrieg budget-cutting is not the soundest way to manage county money. i would prefer to have MY supervisor think about the impact of his decisions rather than just moving his mouth as the puppeteer demands.

  12. admin

    It’s absurd to expect the police officers to do more with less. In fact, after hearing Cheif Deane explain the differences in staffing between Prince William and other counties it makes me wonder if our short staffing isn’t partly to blame for the problems that have been experienced by residents. For example, the Washington Post article concerning the 2 ladies doing the neighborhood watch complained about a male urinating in public, did the police respond in a timely manner to that complaint to the satisfaction of the residents? And, if not, was it because the police have not been funded to the levels requested by the department?

  13. Moon-howler

    I am wondering when there will be citizen input time, based on facts rather than on what we think might happen.

    I see Stirrup and Stewart as carpet baggers. They have come to Virginia apparently to destroy a grand old county that is steeped in tradition. Virginians would never short change their fire departments, their police departments, their children or their elderly.

    When is the next CBB meeting? (Carpet-bagger Board Meeting)

  14. TWINAD

    If they still want to enforce the probable cause part of the Resolution, then they need the cameras and we (not the federal government) need to pay for them and for more officers. If they don’t want to pay for them, then they need to rescind that part of the Resolution.

    Let’s hope that whatever third party is advising the Board, will say so, and then they will need to scrap that part of the Resolution. One or two lawsuits could wipe out any savings in not funding those items.

  15. Moon-howler

    Twinad,

    I totally agree with you. I recommend recinding the probable cause part of the resolution. The county cannot afford to pay for it as it was presented to the taxpayers back in the fall. If they cannot run the program correctly, then scrap it until they can. Keeping the 287(g) program in the jail and beefing up that program is money ahead.

    You and I will have to pay for any lawsuits that come down the pike. I believe we have professional law enforcement officers but this ‘resolution’ is a test case and a law suit magnet to start with.

    Our supervisors need to listen to those they pay for advice, rather than to a few political gadflies who have a social agenda to push.

  16. Kenneth Reynolds

    What about the Group Homes for Boys and Girls? These are institutions in our community. Youth for Tomorrow snuck a bid in to take them over – no competitive bidding; no proof of the numbers or review by community staff. Unfortunately, Group Homes like these dont have a vocal backing but they do keep our kids from getting into furrther trouble. This , like all the other cuts, are in my opinion, ways for stewaart to save face……cut things so he could balance HIS budget in the middle of the nite w/o public input. How long is the community going to let him push everyone around. He had a nominal victory in the election look at the mess he is creating!

  17. Marie

    I agree with Twinad. The BOCS need to recind the probable cause of the resolution. As I sat there for 5 hours yesterday, I could not believe my ears. Both Mr. Horton and the County Exec cautioned the BOCS over and over about why the cameras were crucial. One of the police officers (his name escapes me) indicated the same.

    There will be lawsuits and more lawsuits and you can believe the Equal Rights Commission, ACLU, etc are keeping their eyes and ears open.

    Most of the supervisors will not listen to anyone. They pay a hefty price for legal counsel but turn a deaf ear. Same in the City. City is being sued currently for alleged unfair housing practices against hispanics. The cost for legal counsel is exorbitant now and the City very well stands to lose the suit.

    I fear the cost is going to defend lawsuits will be much higher for the County. Without cameras police will never be able to disprove racial profiling. So be it! I feel sorry for the residents.

  18. “particularly since those “minorities” here lawfully are both respected and appreciated by many of those who support the Rule of Law Resolution, including Chairman Stewart, whose wife is an immigrant herself.”

    James, First, “immigration resolution” is what the BOCS called their little policy (that would be the one they took from a hate group—FAIR). They changed the name from targeting ALL immigrants to one which now basically labels all immigrants “law breakers” until proven innocent. We know this because people have been asked about immigration status without committing a criminal offense AND the police already detained two actual citizens.

    Second, the Chairman’s wife is a white immigrant who would never be targeted because she looks like the majority and because she’s the chairman’s wife. Do you really think things like that happen to wealthy politicians’ spouses? Not often, and you can bet not in the county. So that argument is moot, at best. (Nothing against Mr. Stewart’s wife in the least, but SOMETHING against Mr. Stewart and his ridiculous attempt at providing justification for his “resolution”.)

    This county has proven time and time again, at the expense of the tax payers and now even of their own employees who will be laid off that they don’t care about democracy or the majority. If they didn’t they would not be cancelling citizen times, moving them around to avoid real discussion, pandering to hate and extremist groups, and not even checking the sources of their “approval.” Sorry, but emails from people outside the county and WAPO anonymous and multiple postings don’t count, nor can they. The only ways other than numerous citizen times to really get a feel for the public opinion is through surveys, studies, and votes. And THOSE, we know, have already been ignored by the Chairman and his Vice (appropriately titled).

  19. “I recommend recinding the probable cause part of the resolution.” Yes. Also recind the service denials for the elderly and the disabled who look “illegal.”

  20. Bring it On

    Yes, that was an idiotic comment from Ms Widowski concerning the comments section of the Washington Post! To imply that public policy be made based on anonymous postings is outrageous. But what do you expect from Help Save Manassas, they are desperate. They have done themselves in because of their bad behavior. THank the Lord the average citizen now sees them for what they are.

  21. Ruby

    Admin,
    I think those 2 ladies are probablly way more reasonable than some would care to give them credit for. Seriously, do you really think they wasted their time on public urination. I think NOT! I think they are very aware of busy the police are. I think they are aware that there are more serios crimes goin on. Furthermore, I think from reading the article that incident happened some time ago. Heck, maybe she told them in Spanish there’s 3 bathtooms in the house and that we don’t urinate outdoors with young girls accross the street. 😉

  22. I didn’t know Ms Widowski was a member of HSM. She participated in a very balanced debate on immigration that I took part in as well. She’s also from my “neck of the woods.” Are you SURE she’s a HSM member? If so, at least she doesn’t appear to be insane! : )

  23. (I would tell her to quit HSM if she IS a member. She doesn’t want to be lumped in with the “crazies”.)

  24. Kenneth Reynolds

    Ruby said on 23 Apr 2008 at 12:41 pm:
    Admin,
    I think those 2 ladies are probablly way more reasonable than some would care to give them credit for. Seriously, do you really think they wasted their time on public urination. I think NOT! I think they are very aware of busy the police are. I think they are aware that there are more serios crimes goin on. Furthermore, I think from reading the article that incident happened some time ago. Heck, maybe she told them in Spanish there’s 3 bathtooms in the house and that we don’t urinate outdoors with young girls accross the street.

    From Kenneth – BOCS also cut Princippi’s ec to add 3 people to Neighborhood Services which is what the County s/b doing instead of the worthless 287 stuff

  25. “BOCS also cut Princippi’s ec to add 3 people to Neighborhood Services” Every second it becomes more and more apparent the BOCS doesn’t give a damn about neighborhoods. If they did, they would have tried some preventive maintenance and some investment in our communities instead of an investment in their political careers. I don’t pay these people to campaign for themselves all the way through their time in office. I pay them to resolve problems amicably and justly.

  26. Censored bybvbl

    How cut in stone are any of these items? Can’t they be put back in? Stewart is trying for the minimum tax increase. Maybe the other supervisors feel differently.

  27. We won’t know who feels differently until the decisions are made. I think the BOCS members should have a little mutiny, personally.

  28. anon

    During yesterday’s worksession the Board reviewed the Chairman’s proposed cuts. They took informal straw polls on each item. So none of the cuts are binding until next week when they vote on the final budget. There is still time for things to change, though the results of the straw polls do give an indication of what might be in play or not.

  29. TWINAD

    Anon,

    Are the straw poll results public knowledge? Just wondering.

  30. undecided

    I realize this might be a little to general for a budget recap topic, however I still request you hear me out.

    Wow. What a debate going on here in our county. I am undecided right now on where I stand, and would like to get some answers to questions. I will grill the bvbl.net folks as well on their issues.

    I have lived here about 5 years. I have had zero problems with Mexicans or any other immigrants in this area. I have not seen a flop house on my block (and I live in Sudley Manor). Sure, I hear occasional loud ethnic music coming from the occasional car, but I’d have to say I hear more white boys listening to gangsta rap. I see Latinos gather at 7/11, no big deal. As far as I see it, street parking is up for grabs. If you have trouble parking your car, you have every right to build a bigger private driveway (at least in Sudley Manor).

    I have (legal) neighbors of Mexican decent, and our children play together while the grownups enjoy each other’s company on our front porches. I value the legal immigrant’s contributions to this county. The Mexican restaurants are AWESOME, however I did feel uncomfortable at first being that their signs are in Spanish. But I got over it. It has always seemed like both sides wanted to know each other more, but were afraid to take any steps. We have always tolerated each other, but we have also avoided each other.

    Everything was fine and dandy until a few years ago when my oldest son first enrolled at Sudley Manor. The learning curve was set incredibly low to accommodate illegal immigrants. How do I know that they are illegal? I have spoken with the mothers of these kids. There was little fear of acknowledging one’s illegal status in 2005. I believe it benefits a community when all children get a good education, but I find it unfair to be stuck with the bill — and the cost of my own child’s education. We have since taken all of our kids out of public school, and we now home school (at greater cost to us, in addition paying taxes for public school). In our household’s experience, this has affected us greatly, and symbolized that things have simply gone too far.

    Below are my points AGAINST illegal immigrants…I would appreciate if someone could perhaps fill me in on what I might be wrong about, or simply give their side. I am trying to become more educated here. I welcome you to dispute what I consider fact based on personal experience. I hope no one in the group rushes to call me racist or a moron. Again, I plan to grill bvbl.net as well.

    – There is a reason that we have limited the amount of immigrants to this country, and contrary to popular belief (in this forum), it is not a republican conspiracy to rid the country of “brownies”. We have illegals coming in as such a rate that the infrastructure simply cannot handle it. I will also be as bold to say that it should be a slow process from a cultural side. People on both sides should be allowed the proper time to adapt to cultural change. What is happening in our county is proof of this — look at how our county has become divided.

    – Greg’s group is called “Help save Manassas”. His title does not call out Latinos. The opposing side is called “Mexicans Without Borders”. They acknowledge themselves as representing Mexicans, and they are just as much subject to criticism as any other group. It is not fair that when anything is said objectively about them, it is considered racist. To me this comes off as stereotyping all white people as racists — quite ironic in that view is racist as well. With that said, it should be acknowledged that there are a small group of racists in this county who want Latino’s out, and they are using the “illegal” issue as an opportunity to spread hate. This does not excuse “Mexicans Without Borders” to take advantage of America’s current racial sensitivity as a tool to block anyone from objecting to their agenda.

    – How can people say that illegals are paying their fair share of taxes — especially SS taxes? Aren’t most of them getting paid cash under the table? It doesn’t take an expert to realize that sales tax on a Big Gulp isn’t to cover emergency room and education costs. Paying rent helps in the form of property taxes, but it still falls way short. If they are paying income taxes, does it not mean that they have likely paid for false identification (probably without realizing that they have paid someone unscrupulous for someone else’s identity)?

    – How is it not a black and white issue that they are illegal? Some use the comparison of when whites first came here, that they were illegal too, but fought to overcome, and that is what the Latinos are doing as well.
    When Europeans came to America, the Indians were here first. By some standards, yes, the whites were considered “illegal”. There was much fighting, and the Europeans prevailed. When we took part of the southwest from Mexico, there was a war, and the United States won. If illegals take on this stance – that tells me that they are willing to go to war over this again. I certainly hope that this is not true. However, every time I hear this argument used, this is what they are saying to me.

    – When a legal tax-paying American has a major medical issue, the health costs can cause them to go into bankruptcy. The illegal alien will usually take the easier path of switching identities when the bill comes, as the underground networks of illegal identification are easily accessible. When we had the aggressive driving laws, they were also immune from having to pay the exuberant fines. The examples of illegals immune from regular American costs are endless. This has nothing to do with the color of their skin, but everything to do with benefits that they have that legal Americans do not.

    As for the cops pulling people over, what is the great mystery in how they determine whether or not to question legal status? Is it when they fail to provide a driver’s license? or if the license is clearly a fake? Has anyone been asked for their identity when simply walking down the street? At a soccer game? At 7/11? Is there any proof that more Latinos have been pulled over in general? When you sneak into the country, again you are aware you have done so illegally, and there should be some fear that you might get caught. Anything else is a mockery of our laws.

    When a pro-illegal advocate uses the word “undocumented”, it comes off like they are trying to reprogram the public into thinking that they aren’t doing anything wrong. This comes across as deceiving the public. “It’s simply a matter of paperwork which makes them undocumented” they say. This is not the case. We have decided as a country for very specific and well-thought out reasons to limit the amount of people coming into this country. People coming here are indeed illegal just as much as someone without the paperwork saying they have a college degree does not have a college degree. I’m not racist against someone without a college degree, but that shouldn’t give them the right to be able to demand a job which requires it.

    I ask this group to show me why I should support illegal aliens.
    Thanks
    -Undecided

  31. Admin

    Ruby,
    Maybe the police are so busy because we have hundreds of less officers than other counties. Deane said in order to have the same percentage of officers as Henrico County, we would have to hire a hundred or two hundred officers. 100 – 200 officers! That’s a lot! My point being, it must have an impact on response times and workloads, that’s all. It’s just a supposition, I don’t have any proof, it just seems logical. I could be wrong.

  32. Ruby

    Admin,
    No problem. I am harmless. Just, bring another perspective to the board that’s all. 😉

    You and I have both lived here long enough to know our police have never had a surplus of officers. Wouldn’t you say?

  33. Admin

    Luckily I haven’t had to call on them too frequently.

  34. The straw polls are public knowledge if you go to PWC Gov. center and request a copy of the hearing on DVD. Jeff and I were shooting, but once we realized it was another one of those meetings with no end, we began saving tape by turning off the cameras here and there. When I spoke at Citizens’ Time (it was fun, and also empowering, I recommend it), I promised the Board of Supervisors a new video about the economic impact of the Immigration Resolution. At the time, it was 3:00 PM and I had no idea I’d still be shooting 9 and half hours later! But the video is coming out soon on 9500 Liberty.

    At around 7 PM, I was chatting with Chairman Stewart. I complimented him for staying cool even though some of the citizens had brought a lot of anger into the room. He seemed heartened by my making mention of that. He said something like, it doesn’t mean I don’t feel the emotion, or feel anger in return, but the last thing we need is a hysterical chairman. I thought he said “historical chairman” and said that back to him with a question mark. He said no, hysterical.

    Anyway, the point is that he started telling me how he favored much higher quotas for legal immigration to meet our labor demands and partially solve the problem of illegal immigration. It seemed clear to me though, I didn’t think to ask, that he would have no problem what-so-ever if legal residents of the same socioeconomic and ethnic composition came to PWC to replace the ones who (presumably fearing deportion), have recently fled the county.

    Anyway again. (I’m writing stream of consciousness because I should really get back to video editing). Corey stopped and said, I really need to get this out, and so we decided to shoot a quick interview. During the interview I realized that what he wanted to do was to distance his own views of immigration from those of Dan Stein and FAIR. So, that will also be coming up on the 9500 Liberty Channel.

  35. notGregLetiecq

    Eric, please post Corey’s views on immigration asap! We’ve got to see this to believe it.

  36. kgotthardt, I really wish you’d make up your mind. First, you complain about targeting minorities for racist reasons. Then you complain that “they don’t care about democracy or the majority.” First, I don’t want a Board that “cares,” particularly when it does so with my money. I want a Board which faithfully executes its duties. Second, I hope “they don’t care about democracy.” Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on who’s for dinner. We don’t HAVE a democracy; we have a representative republic. As for “the majority,” I seem to recall that Chairman Stewart won election — TWICE — with rather substantial majorities, once after passage of the resolution, in the only “survey” or “poll” that truly counts. I suppose it’s your privilege to continue to whine about the resolution, but it clearly enjoys the support of “the majority.” Indeed, it enjoys the support of EVERY MEMBER of the Board, save for Frank Principi, who wasn’t there to vote for it. And he certainly hasn’t tried to rescind it. Third, “citizens’ time” is an opportunity for people to exercise their right of free speech. However, there is no concomitant obligation on the part of the Board to “listen,” which you seem to imply.

    As for your claim that “the Chairman’s wife … would never be targeted because she looks like the majority and because she’s the chairman’s wife,” there are a couple of answers. First, NO ONE (other than a lawbreaker) is “targeted”; the claim that anyone is “targeted” is simply the race-hustlers’ fantasy. Second, does speaking with an accent constitute “probable cause”? I don’t know, but if it does, she could be checked, if she violates other laws.

  37. Moon-howler

    I will view the video as I would Little Red Riding Hood. ‘What big eyes (lies, whatever) you have, Grandma!’

  38. Moon-howler

    Eric, this Doubting Thomas wants to see that video. When do you expect it to be ready?

  39. Okay, I’ll throw something up.

  40. TWINAD

    Eric,

    That’s awesome! We ALL want to see that! Thanks.

  41. Anon-100

    I know Ms. Widowski and she is not a member of HSM. And she is not crazy.

  42. Elena

    I would be very curious also, thanks Eric. BTW, you did a great job speaking yesterday at citizen time!

    I wonder why, if we have many of us have similar views with the Chairman, that we are pegged as extememists? I guess it’s “all in the eye of the beholder” who is labeled extreme.

  43. Elena

    corr: “if many of us”, forget the we!

  44. undecided

    Why do so many people on this board need others to help justify their individual thoughts? Is it to make sure you aren’t crazy? Either you believe in your cause, or you don’t. I wouldn’t feel better or worse if the Chairman shared my views.
    Elena, why is it so important for you to spend time wondering how other people “peg you”?

  45. Elena

    Donna isn’t crazy, and she is a good person, but, to this day, her public association with Greg is beyond my understanding.

  46. I don’t believe Corey Stewart is in the same category as GL and FAIR. Stewart is a political opportunist who saw immigration as his ticket to another term in what could have been a contested race with Pandak since Stewart hadn’t done much with his “Stop the Sprawl” promise made in the special election. One has to be careful, though, with who you pick as your political bedfellows. Do I doubt that Stewart was sincere in his comments to Eric? Not at all. Do I believe that Stewart won’t flip on a dime if it suits his purposes? Not at all. I see Stewart’s approach to governing as very Machiavellian but without the necessary subtlety and wherewithal to pull it off effectively.

  47. undecided

    Elena – Are you saying that your “understanding” is limited only to those who might share your views?
    There are a significant amount of people on this board (minus the haters). Im trying to figure out what the common bond is here, and I am not a troll. I am yet to see people answer simple questions asked many times here without blindingly resorting to racism. I am open to trying to find out why there is so much sympathy for those who disregard our laws? Perhaps I am missing part of a big picture? My mind is open.
    -not having much trouble deciding

  48. Marie

    Kenneth Reynolds commented about the PW Group Home. There are two of them, a girls in Manassas and a boys in Woodbridge.
    I hope this will help.

    I do not know if closing the Group Home would save the County money or not. I know that payments are made to the group home by the county out of a State program, Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families. The county has to pay 34.14% for the cost of services out general fund dollars. 65.86% of the cost of services is reimbursed by the state. Youth for Tomorrow is considered a Residential Treatment Facility. Youth for Tomorrow conducts an educational program, too. They would be charging for the Room and Board, Education and any other service the youth may need i.e. mental health services. I know the per diem cost to the PW Group Home is $175.00 per day and I do not know if there are additional costs to the County for education and counseling. Youth for tomorrow charges $130-$141 for Room and Board, $58 per day for education and if a child needs counseling that is a $14-$22 a day charge. The State reimbursement rate for Residential Services is going to increase in FY09 to localities so PW Co will be paying a higher percent of the cost for children placed in Residential Treatment. I know that in 2007 they had 69 children in the group homes.

  49. Marie

    The $130-141 to YFT for Room and Board is a per day charge. Sorry, guess my fingers were going faster than my brain.

  50. TWINAD

    Undecided,

    I think I can speak for many on this board (certainly not all), that we feel the current immigration law is broken and that the Feds do realize that, which is why they are not actively going after undocumented people like PWC wants to do. They have made a “show of force” in recent weeks (raids), I think, in an effort to pacify those that do not approve of the “lawbreakers” presence in our country.

    Regardless, the federal government knows that we need these workers here and that there is no practical way to simply rid the country of 12 M undocumented people and leave the economy unscathed. Right here in our area we have 3% unemployment. Throughout history, 5% unemployment has been considered “full employment” so we technically have a labor shortage in Northern Virginia. Yet our County leaders want to run these workers out of our County. These workers who pay taxes (undocumented workers pump BILLIONS into Social Security annually that they will not collect), purchase groceries and clothing, pay their trash, water and electric bills etc.

    The federal government knows the law is broken and they are trying to work on ways to fix it. Their plans do not include deportation of 12 M people. That is reality. So when federal law finally changes and these people can become documented, we will be left holding the bag as unwelcoming to newcomers and they won’t want to come back here. That may be fine by a lot of people, but if those people are now legal, why wouldn’t you want them back here. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…a LARGE percentage of the currently legal immigrant population was once here illegally. So why do so many people say “but I don’t have a problem with LEGAL immigrants!” They were illegal before, what makes them so different than a person they came over here with that remains undocumented? Nothing!!!!

Comments are closed.