LETTERS: Open letter to Gov. Wolf, legislators from York County nonprofits
The following is an open letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania's General Assembly from York County's nonprofit leaders
As leaders of York County's nonprofit organizations, we are sensitive to the behind-the-door realities of budget negotiations. We appreciate the hard work it takes to draft sensible legislation. Further, we are grateful when our legislative leaders take a stand to demand legislation that best serves our communities.
It is unfathomable though, how York County's educational, health, and human service providers have been dragged into the middle of a reckless political game of chicken that will most certainly end with casualties.
York County's nonprofit organizations exist to do significant good in our communities, to provide a safety net for our most vulnerable. We educate impoverished students, give opportunity to young people with special needs, protect battered women and children, provide high quality and affordable early childhood education, among many other critical services. We strategize and scrape for funding from public and private sources with the sole goal of helping hurting and struggling people.
We cannot imagine the chaos and hopelessness of these critical services being cut off to the community who so desperately needs them. The consequences will be lasting and devastating, and those consequences are already beginning to pile up. Soon, the ability to recover and rebuild will be overwhelming for both those receiving and those providing services.
At the writing of this letter, Pennsylvania is 127 days overdue for a state budget. Our most vulnerable citizens are suffering new setbacks as schools are closing, teachers are accepting reduced paychecks, staff positions are being eliminated, and entire health and human welfare organizations are planning to shut down.
Our respective lines of credit are running out. We are becoming increasingly unable to pay our basic operating expenses. As our organizations are forced to lay off employees, and as we are unable to pay our bills, there will be an inevitable trickle-down effect that will negatively impact our local economy.
Everyone wants what is best for Pennsylvania, York County, and York City. This budget impasse is not what is best for our community. It is unnecessary, risky, and reckless.
How long will it take to reach a fair budget compromise? What will be the final cost of this risky brinksmanship? What critical services will cease? What organizations will fail to survive?
We have confidence that you can reach a budget compromise and pass a State budget that begins funneling critical funds back into these services. Your local community simply cannot afford to wait any longer for a budget to pass.
Sincerely,
•Rev. Aaron J. Anderson
CEO/Head of School
Logos Academy
•Anne E. Bahn
President/CEO
Byrnes Health Education Center
•James Bennett
President and CEO
Easter Seals Western and Central PA
•Dennis E. Camuti, Major
York Citadel Corps Officer & Area Coordinator
The Salvation Army York
•Louie Castriota
President & CEO
Leg Up Farm and Able-Services
•Victoria A. Connor
CEO
York County Bar Association and York County Bar Foundation
•Bobbi Anne DeLeo
Executive Director
York County Literacy Council
•Matthew B. Ernst; CTRS
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
Easter Seals Western and Central Pennsylvania
•Jenny Englerth
CEO
Family First Health
•Randy Freedman
Chief Executive Officer
York Jewish Community Center
•Deborah Harrison
Executive Director
York County Children's Advocacy Center
•Ivan G. Hileman
Executive Director
Bell Socialization Services, Inc.
•Debbie J. Loucks
Executive Director
York Area Development Corporation
•Pr. Glenn Miller
Vice President for External Relations
SpiriTrust Lutheran
CEO, the SpiriTrust Lutheran Foundation
•Gregory T. Miller
President and Chief Executive Officer
Penn-Mar Human Services
Chief Executive Officer
Penn-Mar Foundation
•Sandy Myers
Executive Director of Operations
Jessica and Friends Community
•Risa C. Paskoff, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Aason's Acres
•Kris Pollick
Director
Catholic Harvest Food Pantry
•Bill Rhinesmith
President
ForSight Vision
•Larry M. Richardson
President/CEO
YMCA of York and York County
•Robin Rohrbaugh
President/CEO
Community Progress Council
•Jody Shaffer
Executive Director
YWCA Hanover
•Bobby Simpson
CEO
Crispus Attucks
•Michael A. Smith
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of York & Adams Counties
•Jean M. Treuthart
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA York
•Robert J. Woods
Executive Director
United Way of York County
•Frank W. Koerber
Executive Director
Typical Life Corporation
•Garrett Trout
Chief Executive Officer
TrueNorth Wellness Services