The Shadow
Editors Note: Mike Spurgeon appeared before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night. Following is a copy of his remarks which he also submitted as a letter to the editor of the Virginian Review.
Chairman and members of the board,
I want to remind you that you were elected to serve the people and do what is best for the county but somehow it seems to me that you all have lost sight of that fact.
The rumors have been running rampant for a couple months now about Bath County Department of Social Services having to move out of the Courthouse.
We have had clients ask us when and where we are moving to and how will this affect them.
I am here tonight to speak first and foremost as a private citizen and also as a voice for the citizens of Bath County especially the elderly and those who require Department of Social Services assistance.
You as a board requested, I quote: “By consensus, the Board of Supervisors has asked me to relay that it would appreciate the consideration of the local Social Services Board regarding relocating to another location. The functions of the county government are in need of more space including parking for the public.” Unquote.
First, I would like to know what your definition of `consensus’ is? Do all five of you want the Bath County Department of Social Services to move?
If not, who is opposed to the idea?
I would also like to know when did Bath County Department of Social Services cease to be a function of county government?
Second, the winds of agency consolidation has been blowing within the DSS community for awhile now. If you do decide that we have to move, I can envision the state saying that this would be the perfect opportunity to “test out” consolidation and make Bath County a pilot agency. This could mean that the citizens of Bath County would have to go to another county, such as Rockbridge or Alleghany County, for their benefits and services.
Bath County would lose these services locally but the county would still have to pay for the services. However, you would have to pay another county.
You, as a board, are always asking the state for more services and more help and here you could possibly be giving up a service. Once it’s gone, you know good and well, it’s gone forever.
Third, and most importantly, consider the citizens that we serve. For the most part, when someone comes to us for help, they are at “the end of their rope.” Many are embarrassed about asking for help and it is all they can do to walk into our office. When they come to the courthouse, at least they can somewhat disguise their visit. If they are seen coming in the building or someone sees their car here, they could be going to the treasurer’s office, or paying their water bill or such. If we are required to move and now they have to go a location where they “stand out,” how much more difficult will it be for them to come in for help?
You should be looking for ways to make it easier to get help, not harder.
Also, please consider that right now the courthouse is a “one stop shop” for our clients. When they come to the court house they don’t have to run all over the county to get information or verifications that they need to complete their request for assistance. If we are required to move, you will cause our clients the inconvenience and expense of going all over the place to get assistance.
Last, I would like to know what additional government services you plan to offer that will make moving the Bath County Department of Social Services cost effective. We have on average 80 to 100 individuals walk into our office monthly. We have approximately 170 food stamp cases which help over 325 individuals and approximately 350 Medicaid cases which equates to over 450 individuals. We help hundreds each year with heating and cooling assistance. This does not include the Adult Protective and Child Protective Services, Child Care Assistance, Community Based Care, Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, Employment Services, and infant supply program to mention a few.
Again I repeat my question: What additional government services will you provide above what we provide that will make the proposed move cost effective and provide more “county government”?
I do not have what it will actually cost to move, but whatever the costs are, to make it cost effective, there has to be a benefit that outweighs the cost. Unless you are expanding services to the citizens of Bath County above what the Bath County Department of Social Services provides, I cannot see a benefit.
Therefore, I respectfully request that you give this recommendation that the local Social Service board “consider” relocating the Bath County Department of Social Services to another location careful consideration yourselves and weigh the benefit to the citizens of Bath County and come to the same conclusion that I have come to, which is this: It is not cost effective and there is no positive impact on the citizens of Bath County especially the nearly 1,000 residents that we serve each month. That is why I ask you to withdraw this request.
Thank you.
Mike Spurgeon
Hot Springs
