Editor, OBSERVER:
The county executive was quoted in the OBSERVER last month that in order to keep the Home as a part of Chautauqua County, it would cost each taxpayer $17 more per year in taxes. That is about $1.50 per month.
I would be very happy to pay this extra amount to assure that our elderly or disabled family and neighbors would be able to stay close to us. I don't believe private homes have to accept everyone who applies for care.
This would especially affect lower-income persons. They would probably be housed miles from any family or friends who could visit, making their days long and hopeless. The only problem I see in the extra $17 is following the money! In order to assure it would actually be spent at the County Home would be for it to be sent directly to them?
Too many funds are set aside to aid programs never reach them, or are so watered down by administration, they become useless.
One question I have is this: "What does it cost county taxpayers to house the persons at the Chautauqua County Jail?" If we had to dump one or the other, I think the elderly have earned their keep.
VIRGINIA A. HUGHES,
Dunkirk
