May 14, 2010
Our Readers
Vanderburgh County Council president responds to article about CAJE
To the editor,
In reference to your page 1 article from April 30, “Elected officials say, ‘Yes’ and one ‘No, to Social Justice requests by CAJE,” I want to explain the reasons behind my answer to your readers.
During my meetings with Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment (CAJE) representatives I commended them on their research and work advocating the possible North 41 corridor bus route. The goal of allowing center city residents the opportunity to use public transit to commute to jobs in northern Vander-burgh County is laudable, and I agree with that. The estimated cost of $150,000 to $170,000 per year for this route is nevertheless a daunting sum. The City of Evansville and the METS bus system were unable or unwilling to subsidize this cost, and with the route being outside the city limits, Vanderburgh County’s financial assistance was sought.
The CAJE transportation committee is contacting employers along North Highway 41 for the possibility of a subsidy if they have employees that would use the bus. I told Mr. Mark Rigney of CAJE an amount committed by the private sector businesses would certainly strengthen the case being made for the North 41 route. Otherwise, the county would have to find funding from elsewhere in our budget since our budget revenue growth is a very low one to one-point-five percent. In other words, something else in the budget will have to be cut.
The cost pressures we on the County Council face without 2010-2011 county budgets are considerable. Here are some of this year’s difficult budget issues we are facing:
- County employee health insurance increased almost 10 percent last year, over $850,000, and county leaders are looking for ways to save money on this item.
- The property tax revenue under HEA 1001 is capped through the new “circuit breaker” law, and we are still monitoring to see how this will affect county government, but with the growth in revenues a low one to one-point-five percent, new funds are not available.
- The recession and local unemployment will cut county option income tax revenue, if not this year then next, so prudent planning has to allow for this decrease.
- County government is looking at replacing older computer equipment and software that will cost at least $100,000 to $150,000 in additional expenditures.
- County employees received no pay increase last year, a one percent increase will cost around $250,000, and they are doing more with less, operating under a hiring freeze, and
- The county garage has seen increased costs in materials and the sheriff’s department and garage are facing higher gasoline and oil costs.
Based on these harsh budget realities I could not answer “Yes” to CAJE’s question that “I use my powers as President (of the County Council) to advocate for the inclusion and passage” of these funds. If the County Commissioners can restructure certain iems in their budget maybe this can be considered.
Unfortunately the Yes or No format that CAJE employed did not allow for an in-depth answer or explanation. I felt I should consider our overall budget goals and the interests of 42,000 residents in my district and 172,000 residents of Vanderburgh County when giving my answer.
- Russell G. Lloyd Jr. | President, Vanderburgh County Council
A Mother’s Day reflection from 1948
The following reflection was written in 1948 by Marilyn (Long) Jochum when she was an eighth grade student at St. Joseph School in Evansville. It was submitted by her husband, Leroy Jochum. She died June 16, 2009.
Mother’s Day
I’ve never really liked the idea of Mother’s Day. Sounds strange? What I mean, of course, is that mothers are deserving of more than one special day only. To my way of thinking every day should be Mother’s Day. It seems unnecessary that I should have to be reminded of my mother. But I will admit it is a good thing for some people. Strange as it seems, there are some who forget. I hope I am not one of those who need a reminder.
Here are a few truths that I might call to mind about my mother.
My mother stands in God’s place with regard to me. It is not merely nice of me to obey her. It is my strict duty to do so.
As a Catholic girl, I have the example of Christ and His Blessed Mother. “And He went down to Nazareth and was subject to them.”
There are thousands of boys and girls whose mothers have been taken from them. These mothers whom God has taken to Himself are praying for them in Heaven.
I still have my mother and I thank God for sparing her.
The best and finest gift I can give on Mother’s Day is my ready and willing obedience —on every single day of the year.
Of course I won’t forget to offer on Sunday Mother’s Day the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and my Communion for my mother.