To The Daily Sun,My reaction to the news that Belknap County did not receive one of the United States Justice Department grants for $600,000 (to support the efforts of our Department of Corrections to confront the addiction crisis and reduce recidivism) was one of sadness and disappointment. In the face of this attitude, would you have given the county $600,000 in grant money for operation of the new corrections center? This same group of legislators showed equal shortsightedness when they slashed funding for the Belknap County Conservation District, the Belknap County Economic Development Council, Community Action Program and Genesis Behavioral. From their actions, it is apparent that the addiction crisis and related criminal recidivism are not key issues to a majority of our county delegation. But you cannot accomplish meaningful planning when your only guideline is “not a penny more in taxes.” That guideline has already cost our county dearly.

Source: Daily Sun October 11, 2017 07:30 UTC