Comments on: Agencies Worry As Escambia County Slashes Non-profit Allocations To Fund Sheriff’s Budget

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:01:19 +0000

Katherine. Not to worry. Just ask for the funds out of the LET from the Sheriff. Sounds like a better use of them, than being provided to the Visitor Center (Florida House I think or for the Pensacola Opera) located in DC.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:24:48 +0000

For those of you who are so quick to jump of the bandwagon of cutting these programs do your research first…they are NOT all worthless or expendable. I personally have been affected in a immeasurable way by the school readiness coalition. This program funds our headstart and VPK programs, which for those who are not familiar, assists in getting our 3 and 4 year olds ready for Elementary school. This program allowed me to have a great place for my daughter to go everyday that not only taught her academically but the teachers there gave her self confidence in learning while I was was in college almost 20 years ago. I was a single mom and wanted to break the cycle of poverty in my own life. If not for this program I would not have been able to finish college, get a great job, and now give back to the community I love so much. My daughter gained a great foundation from this program that helped her excel in school. I agree there is so much shameful, wasteful spending in our county but educational programs are NOT the programs to cut.

By: Tabby

Tabby — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:05:05 +0000

@Patriot
Your screen name belies you. Your suggestion is to grow government (who produce NOTHING) over giving back to the community. Granted, those agencies should be strictly supervised.

By: Sedition

Sedition — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 01:53:22 +0000

@Tom B.

My apologies for not picking up on the intended sarcasm. I’ll admit, I’ve grown more than a little tired of those out there, especially politicians, who can’t live within their own means so they steal more and more from us, still borrowing like hell, and expect US to live within our ever-shrinking means.
Speaking of “need”, we NEED a Balanced Budget law that would criminalize government not passing, and implementing, a yearly budget that would at LEAST balance the budget and find other areas where we can cut spending at least 15% per year.
A good start would be to quit sending taxpayer money to “aid” other countries. If they want our help, then they can pay for it. The US has become the ATM and welfare source of the world.

By: Marie Skopis

Marie Skopis — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 23:05:22 +0000

We need to get more businesses/industry coming to town & paying taxes. We should be using TIF to help that purpose, not CRA.

By: Tom B.

Tom B. — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 19:36:36 +0000

Sedition,

I think you may have missed my bit of sarcasm. If the BOCC finds the “need” to pay these outside sources, use the gas tax we didn’t have a voice for and divide some of that money.

By: retired

retired — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 18:08:14 +0000

@Patriot

I agree totally.

By: anne 1of2

anne 1of2 — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:10:47 +0000

I am always surprised to see the one allowed to to strong-arm employees for cash straight out of their paycheck on this list. They know who they are and will never get a dime of my money!

By: Bob C.

Bob C. — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:16:30 +0000

When did it become a function of Government to fund charities?

As I came up if there was a charity that you or the family or church felt was performing a good function then personal, private or group donations were made. Government was not a part of that.

Holy Cow, the list of these agencies with their hands out for PUBLIC money is endless and they’ll take every thin dime offered. I’m guessing there is a lot of overlap in functions and Administration over these charities. Know of one in the county where the Administrators drive Mercedes and BMW cars and “serve the poor”. Yep, likely right after they take the cream off the top.

Board of County Commissioners or Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund to me they have no place (unless required by law) to outright fund these charity things.

Folks these are OUR TAX DOLLARS that are being spent and bet most would bow up like a strange tom cat at hearing, “OH we’ve gotta Raise Your Gasoline Taxes because the 1-2-3 charity needs money”.

And for those of you who are opposed to Socialization of our government and the liberal policies of some political groups these charities are a good example of how the public monies can be diverted.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 13:53:07 +0000

I would like to know what some of these agencies are & what services they offer to the community. I’ve never heard of the acronym PEDC & they are receiving $550,000. Also, what services does the School readiness coalition offer? What the heck is ‘Unity in the Family’? Could it be possible that some of the services offered by one agency are duplicated at another agency?
I’ve been a LONG time contributor to the United Way and feel they are good stewards of the money they receive but I wonder about some of these other organizations.