Amid the sadness and frustration of watching helplessly as friends and family struggle in these trying times, I search for the place where the glass is half full.
I count my own blessings and try to help others, any way I can. I see the unselfish efforts of Lake County residents. It”s touching to say the least.
But at the same time, I watch tearfully as young families working hard with children and two incomes, ineligible for medical coverage, are barely able to put a roof over their heads.
I talked to a man who should be preparing to retire. Instead he”s looking for a second job. His primary employer cut his hours just enough so that he will not be eligible for benefits or health care. Additionally with the pay cut, he cannot afford to insure his family.
At a press conference in Culver City today, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) released a report detailing the impact of the nation”s recession on California”s counties and cities.
The report paints a dim picture of the economic strain felt across the state. The analysis includes unemployment figures, home foreclosure rates, budget deficits, and first-hand accounts of the impact of the recession on social services and non-governmental, charitable organizations.
“This report is a reality check on the economy ? things are not good, but change is coming. I am going to focus like a laser beam on saving and creating jobs, which is the backbone of any economy,” Boxer said.
Man, I hope she”s right.
The report finds that critical infrastructure projects are stalled or stopped, limiting job growth, when unemployment rates are at their highest in decades.
According to a press release from Sarah Misailidis, deputy press secretary for Senator Barbara Boxer, Lake County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state and is facing increasingly difficult times financially. Many of the county”s sources of discretionary spending are in steep decline, including sales tax, property tax, bed tax and construction permits.
Lake County has not needed to outspend revenues yet. The press release says, “County officials are concerned that they will not be able to make up for falling revenue from both the State and the Federal governments. Although the county has not yet had to cut any major programs or lay off employees, it has put a hold on capital and infrastructure projects.”
Foreclosures are a huge problem in the county. The sale of foreclosed properties can be seen in front of the courthouse nearly everyday. It used to be an uncommon sight, now commonplace.
Over the course of the year the county”s welfare caseload has increased dramatically, and so has the demand for food stamps. The food bank is struggling to meet the increased needs of the community, according to state statistics.
In the city of Lakeport, according to a press release sent by Kevin Burke, “the adopted budget for the current fiscal year, 2008-2009, contains a gap of approximately $400,000 between expected revenue and authorized expenses.”
This resulted in the need for all city and employee associations to participate in a work furlough.
In other words, city hall will be closed for two weeks. It seems as though Lakeport is making an effort to avoid the fate of Vallejo. On May 23 the city of Vallejo filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection and adjustment of its debts.
The case was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento.
Vallejo is facing a $13.2 million budget shortfall this year partly because of the stalled housing development and resale markets, declining asset values and declining retail sales. City analysts projected a similar shortfall in expenditures to continue and to outpace revenues in future years.
I am pained and anguished by the position so many American families are in this holiday season. Though I am often optimistic, I cannot ignore this elephant in my living room.
In the words of “The Boss:”
“Now Main Street”s whitewashed windows and vacant stores, seems like there ain”t nobody wants to come down here no more. They”re closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks, foreman says these jobs are going boys, and they ain”t coming back, to your hometown.” — Bruce Springsteen
Mandy Feder is assistant managing editor/night desk for the Record-Bee. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32. Opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lake County Record-Bee or its management.
