Vote yes on mental health and seniors levies

We strongly recommend a yes vote for two countywide levies on the Nov. 8 ballot — one is Issue 16 for mental-health services, and the other is Issue 15 for senior citizen programs.

Issue 16 is a 10-year, one-mill replacement levy for the local 317 board, a community-based system of multiple entities working on alcohol, drug addiction and mental-health services.

Issue 15 is a five-year, .75-mill renewal proposed by the Athens County Commissioners to support local senior citizen services and facilities.

The mental-health levy, as it's informally called, provides funding for vitally needed local services. It's an investment in the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens that pays dividends in our community's quality of life and character. Replacing the current levy will allow funding to continue, without placing any undue extra burden on property taxpayers.

Without this levy, however, many of the 317 Board's services would be at risk.

Because state funding has been declining over the past decade, the 317 Board's two levies have become the primary funding source for mental health, alcohol and drug addiction services in Athens, Hocking and Vinton counties. The other levy is also a 10-year, one-mill levy; that one was last passed in 2007.

Among the areas where this money provides funding: Tri-County Mental Health and Health Recovery Services' crisis center, My Sister's Place domestic-violence shelter, the Gathering Place, NAMI/Athens, the Athens Photographic Project and the John W. Clem Recovery House.

ISSUE 15 ALSO FUNDS an important part of our community, services for senior citizens, while not increasing taxes.

The money goes toward operating United Seniors of Athens County as well as other organizations and groups.

Services offered by United Seniors of Athens County include vans for transporting seniors to doctor appointments; supportive services such as helping Medicare patients sign up for programs; and programs for seniors operated out of the Athens Community Center. Seniors who sign up with United Seniors get to use the Community Center without having to pay separate member fees.

About 80 percent of United Seniors' budget comes from the levy. This amounts to about $476,000 per year. The organization leverages that money to obtain federal and state matching funds.

Both the mental-health and seniors programs offer essential services in our community. These tax replacements and renewals will allow them to continue operating. Vote yes for Issue 16 (mental health) and Issue 15 (seniors).