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Show r a page for residents "sound-off- " Page 4 "Who should be responsible for forum administering and funding community programs the local or federal government?" i Colleen Furner, a librarian, was worried that increased local responsibility also would mean cuts in program spending. "My first response would be the local government could best handle the programs, because they are closer to the problems of their city. But I don't think the funding of the programs should Housewife Maria Chiacon also said she thought the local by Jeff Becker governments would be more With the start of revenue sharing and the phasing out of many federal poverty programs, aware of local problems. But she was concerned, she public officials continue to government handles the said, "That if the local disagree on whether the federal or the local - government should be responsible for community programs, we may not get as much money." Ms. Chiacon, of 671 South Fourth East, added that she trusted the federal government more than local administrators because it had more resources and knowledge -- programs. And, judging from the opinions of some Salt Lake residents, those at the grass roots level also are divided on the issue. Mayor E. J. "Jake" Garn recently said that he favors more local Responsibility in the be cut," she said. Furner, of 1935 Texas Street, said she knew of one federal program that rehabilitates Ms. juvenile delinquents that may lose its grant under the new funding policies. She said the about handling community problems in general. program has been very effective, and, like some others, shouldn't be cut. administration of community He programs. said he believes Maria Chiacon cities that handle new revenue sharing funds properly will, in the long run, get more money for the programs. "Salt Lake has been especially gearing up the advent of revepue sharing," he noted. "We will be capable of handling it when it comes." Neighborhood News asked some Salt Lake residents whether they thought the federal - or the local - government should control the funding and administration of community and social action programs. Their responses varied. John Gradjean John A. Grandjean, a Holland native who has been in Salt Lake "for many years," said he believed federal and local officials should share the burden of community action programs. Grandjean, who is retired, suggested as an example the construction of low-incom- e housing for the aged. "The local and national governments plan it, pay for it and look after it together. In other services, they can talk these things over together, too - that is the best way. "Now, some people get too much and some don't get enough If the national government and the city worked together, they could check on each other to make sure this didn't happen," he said. "Remember," Grandjean, of 664 Iverson Street, stressed, "The governments are the people -- these programs should be the best ways for the people to get what they need." "Local government should be responsible . . Jim Toomey, of 473 First Ave., disagreed. "The local government should have the responsibility because it's easier to get at and Jerome T. Lynch more accessible to public "Federal government should have control . . . Jerome T. Lynch, of 190 West 400 North, said he thought the federal government should control the programs. "I would be inclined to believe that they are less prejudiced," he said. "Local administrators would be more apt to be controlled by religious favoritism and business interests." He added, "The local clamor," he said. "Presumably, the local government would have an idea of what the needs are in the government would not be as qualified. These federal administrators are already working here. I feel that they have a professionaly trained and experienced staff." Lynch, who was a Baltimore shiprigger before coming to Salt Lake two months ago, said he believed the change from federal to local hands would be too expensive. neighborhoods. It would be easier Jim Toomey for the people in the neighborhoods to participate in the planning of the programs and if there was something wrong with them, they could get to the administrators," Toomey, who has been a community worker in the area for about three years, -- Photos by Jeff Becker pointed out. |