As the federal government shutdown drags on with more negative impacts surfacing daily, the Mono Supervisors decided to write to the Inyo-Mono Congressman, Paul Cook. Their letter urges an immediate end to the shutdown.
The Supervisors’ letter says, “We want to remind you that the continued absence of funding for federal departments and agencies has impact on local government programs and the constituents we serve.”
The Mono Board says that many important local programs and services could be halted, including some Health and Human services programs, like Mono County Women, Infants and Children Program, housing activities and justice initiatives.
The Board’s letter also reminds Congressman Cook that the local economy depends on tourism with much of that generated by visitors to Yosemite, which has been closed along with all other national parks. The letter also says that meetings between county staff and federal agencies on many projects have been cancelled as a result of the shutdown. The Board says, “This lack of federal staff availability is impacting our Public Works Department, Economic Development and Community Development.”
The Mono Board’s letter urges an immediate end to the government shutdown “without addressing current concerns related to the Affordable Care Act.” Developments in Washington over the weekend hinted that Republicans may take the route suggested by the Supervisors. They will decide on sending their letter when they meet Tuesday.
The Board will also consider a letter from Helene Frakes of Bridgeport who points to the Bodie Road and calls its condition “deplorable.” She urges the Supervisors to work with local and state officials to improve the road as soon as possible. Frakes is a summer volunteer at Bodie and knows the road. She says it must be a terrible experience for tourists from other countries who have rented RVs. Frakes said in August two visitors had their vehicles’ oil pans punctured by rocks on the road.
And the Mono Supervisors will also consider waiving Transient Occupancy Tax penalties for Yosemite Gateway Motel for third and fourth quarter taxes. Director of Finance, Leslie Chapman, has suggested the Board discuss the issue and the overall impact on the countywide TOT processing procedures. Owners of the Yosemite Gateway Motel said the Rim Fire seriously hurt their business, and the government shutdown of Yosemite may have further hurt.
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I’m startin to like this smaller govt. already, Tax-Eaters enjoy LoL 🙂
I might enjoy the shutdown but frankly have been too busy with work and the usual avocations of life to notice. But I guess if your faith – or paycheck – revolves around the federal government, it would be a different story.
Yeah right, It’s not a smaller government. It’s a more wasteful government then ever. They are going to get paid for not working!
Which would be a shame- when the State’s employees were furloughed for 90 days over 3.5 years they lost that money; no reimbursement even though the State Supreme court found the furloughs illegal.
Federal employees just came off weekly furloughs only to be furloughed again, this time all week for two weeks and counting.
Many Mono County employees are already doing several jobs (and getting paid for one or two only) compared to other counties. Where we want to start cutting is insist our supervisors cut their own salaries in half, pay for their own gas to the council meetings, etc., and start leading by example.
Are you listening Mr. Fesko and Mr. Johnston?
The issue of pay for elected officials has been debated in the Eastern Sierra over the years – if you pay them too little, only the retired and those in need of health insurance may run. If you pay them too much it irritates the populus. Or, if you pay them a living wage, theoretically the more qualified will run for office. So, it’s not so simple as cutting the Supervisors’ salaries in half. Think about the consequences. Some have said it makes sense to pay government employees with wages similar to private business and insurance benefits comparable to that affordable to citizens.
BK
If I were paid what my privately employed counterparts are with my degrees I might make twice what I do now, but I would have to lie and engage in all the frauds my privately employed counterparts have to engage in to earn that money. The larger the business the less honesty you find to the point that in big multinational corporations any form of honesty is actively punished.
At least where I work now honesty is the coin of the realm and nothing less is acceptable. I can live with the lower pay knowing I don’t have to sell my soul to earn it. Too many who disparage public service do not pay attention it seems to the corruption and dishonesty that is part and parcel of private enterprise today. Everyone in business has an angle and thrives on keeping their employees living in a non stop state of terror, afraid of either losing their job or getting caught in the illegal webs their employers weave like the brokers at Enron or Nationwide Home Mortgage. Neither crime could have happened if employees refused to be dishonest, no people have been conditioned to live their lives in fear and never say anything to contradict the boss.
I’ll take my lower pay and know I do not have to be a part of that any more.
Many if not most of you want smaller government — enjoy!
So far; so good- in fact it’s even better.