We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public officials or written by others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication, its publishers, Editor, or staff.
To the Editor:
Keep UW-Extension Funding in 2023 County Budget
We represent the Active & Aware Citizens of Merrill, Inc. Our mission is to create a stronger Merrill area community. We are very alarmed over action being considered by the Lincoln County Board to eliminate $208,000 to fund the UW-Extension in the 2023 Lincoln County Budget.
If the proposal to eliminate all of the UW-Extension funding passes, the UW-Extension office in Lincoln County will close and all programs offered by and administered through the UW-Extension will end. Programs lost would include:
• County mental health education/awareness for youth and adults
• 4-H
• StrongBodies strength training for adults
• Organizational assistance for non-profits
• Agricultural support with crop and soil research
• Nutrition education for youth and adults
Elimination of funding for the UW-Extension is short-sighted. It will have long-term severe detrimental consequences for young and old, especially the loss of mental health resources to deal with the growing crisis of drug and alcohol abuse and deteriorating adolescent mental health.
Instead of ending UW-Extension funding, we implore the Lincoln County Board to find 2023 funding by reprioritizing department budget needs, using unallocated monies from the unassigned general fund, and using available monies from the American Rescue Plan Act. Long-term resources to maintain future UW-Extension partnerships could be accomplished by reinstituting the wheel tax or asking County citizens to endorse a referendum that would allow the levy limit to be exceeded. Don’t end the successful partnership between Lincoln County and the UW-Extension!
Respectfully,
– Mike Ravn, President; Jay Tlusty, Vice President; Renea Frederick, Treasurer; and John Greenwood, Secretary
Active & Aware Citizens of Merrill, Inc.
Merrill, Wis.
Letters To The Editor Policy:
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Political Letters To The Editor Policy:
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