It was a standing room only crowd which converged upon the Hancock County Commission at Thursday’s meeting. Those in attendance were protesting the proposed budget cuts to their departments and the manner which they found out about those cuts.
The Commissioners must make up a $2.1 million deficit in their budget which is due in Charleston at the end of March. The reduction of Racetrack Video Lottery allocation from 2% to 1% , the closure of Cleveland-Cliffs and other external sources have caused that deficit which last year was made up by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund. Not only is that fund depleted, but legislative auditors have told the County those funds are for catastrophic emergencies, not to plug a hole in the Budget.
The Sheriffs office was listed as experiencing a 30% cut in the upcoming budget, the largest of any department. Deputies speaking said that would translate into 10 deputies and result in reduced safety services for the County, especially in the unincorporated communities like Newell and New Manchester.
Sgt. Hugh C. Tate also took exception to the way the deputies found out about the cut. Commissioners issued a press release last week and Tate said deputies learned about the cuts through media. He felt it was “disrespectful” noting that many had the weekend to worry if they would have a job.
Bethany Blewitt, a concerned citizen from Chester, said with a smaller force, response time in emergencies would be impacted. She noted the area of Newell has great deal of problems with drugs and break-ins and their police coverage is provided totally by the Sheriff’s Office.
John Hissom, chief of the Chester Fire Department and President of the Hancock County Fire Association, said a $44,000.00 cut is being rumored for the Chester Fire Department.
“We can’t do without that money,” said Hissom. “Services will have to be cut and people will suffer without those services. We’re dealing with people’s lives”
Hissom said that the Department . answered 240 calls last year.
“It’s imperative that we get some help,” concluded Hissom.
Chek said a workshop on the budget will be held in the near future.
