King Co. budget axe could fall on 4-H and Master Gardener programs

topproducer said on November 23, 2009 at 8:06 AM

These 'luxury' programs should be self-funded without tax-payer contributions. It's outrageous that general funds from all tax-payers subsidize kids playing with horses! Let they're parents 'pony'-up the money for their kids to play. I can't believe keeping these services is even optional when the County is cutting necessary services like Animal Control!

diegoriveras said on November 23, 2009 at 8:41 AM

I agree with Topproducer on this topic. Both of these programs are well established and recognized organizations. Tax payers should not be on the hook for providing these programs to the community, when they would thrive easily on their own through fundraising and community outreach. Just seeing the "Save 4H" crew out on the corner vying for tax dollars, just seems short sighted and a waste of good energy. Buckle down and find the money elsewhere.

boxerlady said on November 23, 2009 at 8:45 AM

(Did you know many of the Animal Control and animal rescue volunteers are current or former 4H members? Thank heaven for their animal skills and passion...) Self-funding is NOT an option for 4H. Parents would be happy to pay the $15/year per kid that King County had pledged. BUT It is a national program administered by the Extension from each state, and requires county contribution. Last year WSU Extension and grants provided over 3 million dollars to King County agricultural programs (do you think land management and food safety are "luxuries?") This money will be lost to King County if Extension (including 4H) is not funded. Stupid way to save money. Respectfully, Toppproducer, 4H isn't just kids "playing with horses." 4H is a way of life. Kids learn volunteerism, public speaking skills, organization skills...read the studies, and meet some long-term 4H kids. I weep for a county that considers positive youth development a "luxury."

think said on November 24, 2009 at 12:06 PM

boxerlady...you're way off-base. Food safety in King County is the responsibility of the King County Health Department and not WSU or 4-H. There's so much government waste of tax-payer dollars it isn't funny any more. Tax-payer dollars should fund necessary services that are necessary to all, ort the vast majority of citizens. You can argue all you wanht, but teaching the things you've mentioned, at tax-payer expense, is ridiculous. These things should be taught by parents, perhaps even organizations such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and so forth, but NOT AT ANY TAX-PAYER EXPENSE WHATSOEVER! Get a grip on yourself, and THINK about it. Perhaps these kids should ALL volunteer at the animal shelters so they can learn just how important the value of a tax-dollar is, and how hard they are to come-by?

boxerlady said on November 24, 2009 at 2:40 PM

Think, I'm sorry for whatever gives you so much anger and resentment....I'm well aware what the Health Department is for (you would blush if you knew what I do for a living.) By "food safety" I'm not talking "restaurant inspection" here. I would remind you that the largest part of food safety relates to how food is grown and processed at farms, how it is stored and shipped, and how it is prepared at home. Extension in a nutshell... OK, "necessary services to all, or the vast majority of citizens." If you want specifics, here is what will be lost to King County if Extension isn't funded: Extension agricultural and forestry education Recycling/solid waste programs More than $1.5 million in grants for: EFNEP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance education programs, Food Sense, and the King County Food and Fitness Initiative Saving that $109,000 will cost King County close to 4 million dollars in programs, as well as many FTE (full time equivalent) employees in the form of volunteers.

think said on November 24, 2009 at 3:57 PM

boxerlady, thanks for your concern, but again, way off-base, and nobody needs to know what you do for a living, although you must be doing well if you don't mind your tax dollars being spent supporting these programs. How do you feel about you tax dollars being spent in Afghanistan? Every program you've listed looks like a complete waste of tax-payer dollars with the exception of recycling/solid-waste. By-the-way...the article under discussion, that was the basis for this thread, doesn't mention one word about anything you've added. It mentions wealthy gardners that want to play in the dirt, and spoiled kids that want play with chickens, all with tax payer dollars that they don't want to see go away. These types of programs should all be self-funded, or disappear. I hope common sense prevails and they cut them.

boxerlady said on November 24, 2009 at 8:59 PM

So your entire basis for commenting on this issue is this brief human interest article? (And Afghanistan? King County budget?) Okayyyyyy.... I'm done.......