  
|
April 1, 2010 Dear Editor: The League of Women Voters of Kent is endorsing Issue 12, the Children Services Renewal Levy. The renewal levy was first passed in 1985. Its passage on May 4 will not increase taxes. Under its position on "Children at Risk," the League of Women Voters believes that early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies and programs at all levels of the community and government that promote the well being, encourage the full development and ensure the safety of all children. These include: child abuse/neglect prevention; quality health care; developmental services, emphasizing children ages 0-3 years; family support services; and violence prevention. Services funded by the levy have helped thousands of children dealing with sexual and physical abuse and neglect since the levy was first passed in 1985. It helps maintain services that keep children safe, that ensure abused children receive the care they need to heal and that provide help for troubled families so they can be productive members of our communities. Renewal Issue 12 helps to cover the cost of the 24-hour CARES Hotline that allows concerned citizens to report cases of child and teen sexual and physical abuse and neglect. More than 3,600 reports were called in to Children Services last year. The League encourages Portage County voters to renew Issue 12 and maintain critical services that protect children and support families with no increase in taxes. The 0.49-mill levy costs the owner of a house valued at $100,000 about $0.80 per month, less than a cup of coffee. This investment in community services can help a child become a productive adult. Terrie Tarchinski Nielsen President League of Women Voters of Kent |
Protect Our Children!
Remember to vote on May 4, 2010.
Paid for by the Portage County Children Services Levy Committee
Ruth Carnes, Chair - Tari Addison, Treasurer
