County cuts will go deeper than dollars
We've been hearing for weeks that the sour U.S. economy is finally turning the corner. Tell that to Kern County leaders, who have been wrestling with anemic finances and will soon enact deep budget cuts sure to send ripples of concern across the community.
County supervisors have already approved the issuance of pink slips to 30 government employees and are pitching an overall reduction in services -- but that's just a start. They're considering additional ways to address a $37 million budget gap for 2010-11, and it all has to be done before July 1.
Among "non-mission critical" programs on the block: closing all but two libraries in the metro area to save $883,000; and cutting $83,000 from the Bakersfield Symphony budget; $62,000 from the Arts Council of Kern; and $27,000 from the Bakersfield Art Museum.
Most of us can agree that county law enforcement, fire protection and other health-and-safety programs are essential and should be spared harsh cuts. So when hard times hit, "luxury" budget items usually go first. The people who stand to benefit most from those programs take it on the chin. At the top of that list are our children.
Studies show that participation in arts programs and access to reliable information venues provide avenues for creativity, build cognizance in young minds and generally broaden horizons.
The kids who take advantage of these and similar programs are often the people who become entrepreneurs, civic leaders, social visionaries, doctors, scientists, engineers, educators, artists. They'll pioneer research into life-saving medicine and technology. They'll make solid choices in life and contribute to a productive, civilized society. And they, in turn, will raise their own children to do the same.
Neither should we underestimate the value of simple diversions for restless youth who might otherwise find their way into mischief or more serious trouble.
Exposure to the arts can be a powerful thing. Kids learn to think creatively and with an open mind; they learn to observe, analyze and interpret; they learn to express feelings; they learn to collaborate, solve problems, think critically and develop better language and vocabulary skills; and they gain confidence.
It's not just kids who stand to lose if and when the ax falls on libraries and arts programs, however. Also affected are:
* Seniors. Many Kern County retirees are operating on seriously limited budgets and find low-cost value in county-underwritten programs. Arts and music programs and of course libraries are a big part of their lives. And most of them paid taxes to support those programs during their working lives.
* Job seekers. Check out the computer-access area of any Kern County branch library. Chances are, it's packed with unemployed people writing and e-mailing resumes, and performing job searches. By curtailing their access, we're limiting their ability to find work and return to the tax rolls. That's just one piece of evidence that suggests library funding is an investment, not a "luxury" sinkhole.
Kern County is in a fiscal fix, and all signs point to cuts. Perhaps our library and arts leaders should explore private and corporate partnerships to soften the blow. Many local schools are doing just that, and the payoff -- our kids' future -- is well worth the effort.
