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Show , I Page 7 ability tocreateand build quality e housing. We could set an example for the rest of the low-incom- "Were Not Dead Yet country," Biggs said. Federal housing programs have been beset with problems in the past, not the least being "typical federal red tape and requirements which hurt housing programs funded by the federal government," Biggs added. The Coalition believes that many of Senator Birch Bye said recently that President Nixon expects Congress and the public to "roll over and play dead" in response to his recommended cuts in funding for social programs. But a these problems would be eliminated if the State administered group of concerned residents and social service agency personnel from throughout the State of Utah have formed an Ad Hoc Coalition in an attempt to identify possible state sources of funding to Ida Jorgenson, speaks to Northwest Community Council. continue many programs eliminated in President Nixon's proposed budget Bill Biggs, former director of the Salt Lake Community Action "We'll Just Keep On Working" Program, has spearheaded activities of the Coalition and said in a meeting Thursday, February 15, that two areas deserve immediate consideration by Tim Funk Don't feel dejected or rejected, we aren't going down returned from Washington, D. C. a trip to for conferral the tube," declared Ida with Utah's Congressional Jorgenson, Coordinator, at the monthly delegation, indicated there was "a slight ray of hope that we might Northwest Community Council meeting held last week. Ms. Jorgenson called for a "frank discussion about the things we have done." She thought the impending funding continue." Northwest CAP cuts proposed for the Community Action Program by President Nixon, were not cause for complete discouragement. "A lot of things look good, she said. "From the reaction here tonight I'd have thought was at a I funeral." "We've known for seven years that CAP wasn't permanent so let's look at what we've accomplished." Saying that certain programs had "fizzled" and deserved to end, she pointed to other programs such as the Day Care Center which had met problems in the past "and we just kept on working." "We'll work harder the next four months," she determined, "and if by some quirk we survive we'll work even harder after that." Ms. Jorgenson further indicated that the Northwest staff would be working with its people to let them know what to expect as the change in services takes place. She noted things like health services and day care would receive full support. Andy Gallegos, CAP Executive Director, appeared at the meeting. Tom Sessions, Northwest Community Council Chairman, said he asked Mr. Gallegos to speak in order to "avoid rumor. Just so everyone would know what was fact and what was speculation." Mr. Gallegos, recently "But being truthful," he went on, "the funding situation doesn't look too good." Efforts to gain local and state funding support have not met with much promise from officials according to Mr. Gallegos. moderate income housing programs .the Governor has said he favors giving money only to those projects that are one time affairs. g Any programs needing renewed funding would not receive support. on-goin- Salt Lake City Mayor Jake Gam is somewhat hesitant to tag revenue sharing funds for certain programs, says Mr. Gallegos. Law enforcement, housing and education will reportedly receive priority consideration by the city for any available funds. "At least go down fighting," Mr. Gallegos urged residents at the meeting. Let "the effect on your life of his cutback be known. Get the word out to your friends and neighbors," he said. He asked that people write letters to their Congressmen and contact their local officials and let their feelings be known. "Many programs can continue their level of service," said Mr. Sessions after the meeting, "and we are glad for that." Another freeze on construction low-incom- outcome of the e housing possible increase unemployment among skilled workers in the building trades, Biggs said, as well as the waste of is a in personnel already trained in the e housing programs. The Coalition was cautioned low-incom- somewhat by Dr. Lowell Bennion, director of the Community Services Council and a Coalition member himself, "to be careful what we recommend in housing programs. Rather, we should get the Legislature to set committee a -- range plans to make the community aware of the cuts in federal funding recommended by President Nixon and the possible impact on the community. C. W. "Buck" Brady, Citizen Participation Director with the Model Cities program said, "We need to let people know what the impact of these cuts will be on the entire community. We really should have been doing this kind of educating and informing of the public on social programs a year ago instead of having to do it all now in a crisis." housing and funding of some of the most critically needed human service programs. The Coalition agreed that housing should be the number one priority as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had placed a moratorium e on construction of housing for approximately 18 months. low-incom- Biggs explained that Governor Rampton had given his support to the Coalition's request of $9.2 million from the Utah has introduced House Bill 299 which would allow the use of surplus state revenue sharing funds for housing. The (Rep-R- ) some movement in the current State Legislature for appropriation of some $9.2 million in surplus revenue sharing funds for low and is programs. of builders, contractors, local government officials and residents determine the eventual process." Biggs said a maximum of 1 2 of total funds obtained for housing would be allowed for a small staff to direct local housing programs, meaning that most of the money Would actually go into meeting the housing needs of residents. The Coalition ended its third meeting with an agreement to work on both short and long and -- State Legislature for housing programs. David Nemelka Although there funds for such aside the funds and then let them The Over-the-hi- ll Gang Rides Again money would go to the State A major problem at the Department of Community Redwood Service Center Affairs which in turn would grant blatant disregard for old age. It has been noted on several occasions by this reporter that a group who call themselves senior citizens (surely you have to be at funds to local Housing Authorities to provide adequate housing for low and moderate income persons. Other areas eliminated or receiving drastic cuts in funding are educational projects, mental health services, social services andmanpower programs. The Coalition is proposing that the is a least 55?) have been indulging in wanton and hilarious behavior. What was supposed to have been a scenic and historic tour for hold a special session later for a the senior citizens' program at the Center turned into a frolicking Those teeny boppers turned a rather sedate afternoon into an affiar that Hardware Ranch in Cache determination on spending the funds. "This would not cover all the cutbacks but it woud meet some of the most critical needs," Biggs advised Coalition members. County may never forget. On the long trail to their destination, many incidents were recorded, including such things as continual rest stops, fooling around in the aisles, teasing the The biggest problem girls and steaming up the Utah Legislature reserve $2 - 5 million for funding of such programs and legislative in getting Legislative support is the time element - the fortieth session has only three weeks left. Coalition members were urged to contact individual legislators to gain support of HB 299 and the proposed allocation of funds for human service programs. "This is an opportunity to demonstrate the State of Utah i free-for-al- l. over-the-hi- ll windows. Upon arrival at the ranch, hundreds of visiting school children ran for the protection of their buses and left the area several minutes later. This seemed to be a typical response wherever the group went, except for the elk themselves, who didn't where the treats came from. care The group wasted no time in taking advantage of the natural resources of the area. Snowballs began to fly almost immediately and everyone wanted to try sleighriding, despite the fate that some had to ride without a sleigh. Reflecting much on the tone of the afternoon was the amazed and yet baffled look on the face of the curator of the museum when the group staged a sit-isetting up a cook stove and coffee urn on the display case in the reception area. Oddly enough, after all the sheenanigans, the only complaint came from the rebels of the bunch who felt that a single afternoon wasn't enough time to out of their get all that systems. So it as decided that the "Over-the-hiGang" should ride every Thursday (well, almost every Thursday) from their hideout at Redwood Service Center. If you have a bit of the old outlaw spirit in you, and you're over 55 years young, then you might qualify to join the gang. However, if you're not so quick on the draw, you're still welcome somebody has to stay home ,to defend the fort! n, ?? ll |