12 City Council (09/08/03) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meeting September 8, 2003 Page 4 and their support was greatly needed as there are going to be cuts coming from the United Way, but if they could see it in the hearts to give the $10,000.00 to worthwhile organization, it would be appreciated. Stephanie Hunt, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center, also appeared, telling the City Council that she is one of the people that sees the children walk through the front door and this is something that people don't like to think about. She said no one wants to think about child abuse, but child abuse is a community problem and to be successful, they need the help of the community at large, as well as the agencies that respond to child abuse. She said there are currently 50 CAC's in the State of Texas and they are proud that the City of Paris is a part of this group. Ms. Hunt said that they were requesting the same amount of funding received last year because children in this town need this money. She stated that the city has supported them so much in the previous years and she knew they were having a tight budget crunch this year, but she hoped they would continue their support. Gary O'Connor, 4505 Choctaw Lane, President of the Lamar County Human Resource Council, came forward stating that he was representing the interests the elderly and handicapped people of Paris. He said the Lamar County Human Resources Council is the only agency that is primarily providing services to the elderly in Lamar County. Mr. O'Connor said they provide Meals on Wheels, which is delivered to people who are unable to come to the meal centers where they have an opportunity to meet and socialize and get one good warm meal a day. The program is one of the best kept secrets around because it helps keep people out of nursing homes and expensive care center. He said the second thing is the funds that Council has provided in the past which helped them bring in almost one-half of a million dollars in funds from outside of Lamar County, most of which was spent in Lamar County. He said that without adequate local funding, they would be unable to do that. Finally, if his calculations are correct, the amount that they have requested would cost the average citizen about a nickle a month in taxes. He felt that most people would consider that a bargain. Angila McGee, 6615 Oak Wood Lane, appeared before the City Council stating