Dear Editor:
I was recently advised that our city will face a cut in funding for FY2003, from $55,454 to $27,727 from the New Jersey Dept. of Health and Senior Services. I want Union City residents to know that I sent the following response to Clifton R. Lacy, Commissioner of the New Jersey Dept. of Health and Senior Services:
I would like to go on record that I feel this cut is unconscionable and will prove to be devastating for our community which is already classified as a “distressed city” under the state’s guidelines.
We are working very hard in Union City to clean up a financial mess left by previous administrations, and we have been doing a good job so far, as can be attested to by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. We have cut and cut wherever possible. We have reduced expenditures, we have reorganized departments to allow for more efficiency. We have done everything possible, including taking a cut in our state aid for distressed cities, to live within our means. The news that our Public Health and Priority Funding was being cut in half was disappointing and disheartening.
At the same time, we are trying to meet the requirements on Homeland Security, requirements that will mean more spending and spending that was not anticipated. How could these funds not be a top priority, especially with our proximity to New York City? On many occasions, this area has been referred to as New York’s “6th Borough.” These cuts just don’t make any sense.
I implore you and other State officials to find another way to fix the state’s budget without taking funding from cities already distressed. I ask that you take another look at cities such as ours that are doing more with less. Unfortunately, we cannot survive with much less.
Surely, there is some other way.
Brian P. Stack
Mayor