How should council vote?

Lakewood citizens and friends:

The city council on Monday, December 4, will decide whether to spend your tax money for a "safe, supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning youth," and to provide free social services for illegal aliens.

If this spending concerns you, or pleases you, please attend the council meeting and speak to the council, or else call or e-mail your views to the council.

Background: Since 1997, the city has allocated 1% of its general fund to social services programs for needy citizens. The city has contracted with dozens of well-known local agencies to provide those services to our residents. Some of the agencies include the Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YWCA, Community Health Care, Franciscan Health Care, Lakewood Area Shelter, and many others.

On Monday, December 4: The council will vote on a long list of those programs totaling $367,000.

1) Among the programs the council will vote to fund is $10,000 for the Oasis Youth Center of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation. The council has been told the purpose of the Oasis Center is, "To provide a confidential drop in center during non-school hours and a safe, supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth aged 14-24 in Pierce County to help them develop positive and healthy life skills, establish ongoing relationships with adult role models, and have opportunities to give back through community service and volunteerism."

Do you want your taxes spent to support the sexual orientation of youths?

2) The city requires that participating social service agencies sign a contract to ensure that the Lakewood tax dollars will be used to provide services only to Lakewood residents. That is important and reasonable -- your tax dollars should not be spent on Eatonville residents, for example.

However, the city does not require the social service agencies to guarantee that Lakewood money will be used to provide services only to U.S. citizens or legal immigrants. In this time of uncontrolled numbers of illegal aliens, it would seem prudent to ensure that our tax dollars are spent on U.S. citizens and legal immigrants.

Do you want your taxes spent to provide services to illegal aliens when we can't afford to provide them to all the U.S. citizens in Lakewood who need them?

Speak Out: Telling the council your views is important since all 7 members work for you. You can speak to the council for about 3 minutes at the 7 pm meeting on Monday. Just sign in when you arrive. A less effective way to communicate for busy citizens is by e-mail –- send 1 message to all 7 members at council@cityoflakewood.us. Or, call all or
any of the members at home or leave them a message at city hall at 983-7702.

Pad Finnigan, Councilman
City of Lakewood