Voters have an opportunity and an obligation to help

To the extent that a society is judged by how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens, the imperative for Mahoning County residents to renew the MRDD's 3-mill levy is clear.
The MRDD -- the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities -- provides a wide range of services for nearly 1,200 individuals.
Programs range from early intervention for infants and toddlers, through classes at the Leonard Kirtz School for pre-K through young adulthood to sheltered workshop and residential programs for adults and the elderly.
These programs allow people who were born with mental disabilities to reach their highest potential -- including independent living in the best of circumstances -- and allow the families of MRDD clients a measure of comfort in knowing that if they are no longer able to care for their children or siblings, the MRDD will be there.
At another time, the MRDD might have been tempted to seek not a renewal, but an increase. The board's finances have been hard-hit by funding cutbacks at the state level. It lost nearly $4.1 million in the past year as a result of the ending of the Community Alternative Funding System, a type of Medicaid reimbursement. A fraction of that loss has been made up from alternative sources, but the board has been forced to make cut.
Forty employees, including eight administrators, lost their jobs. Professional employees and administrators have had their salaries frozen and health insurance co-pays increased. The work hours of professional employees was increased, with no increase in pay.
Sharing the pain
These are difficult but necessary steps to take in times such as these. The elimination of jobs obviously hurts those employees and their families, but also inevitably results in fewer services for the children and adults the MRDD must serve.
Income from the 3-mill renewal on Tuesday's ballot provides $11.4 million, more than half of MRDD's total income. If the levy were not renewed, a program that has been in existence for more than 35 years would be crippled. The county's mentally retarded and challenged youngsters and adults would be hardest hit.
The MRDD is a program that Mahoning County residents have historically supported and one about which they have a right to be proud.
We endorse renewal of this five-year levy and strongly urge county residents to vote yes.
Mahoning County has two other renewal issues aimed at providing vital services to the disadvantaged and those in special need.
The Mental Health board is seeking renewal of a 0.5-mill, five year levy that produces $1 million annually.
The Children Services Board is seeking renewal of a 0.85-mill, five year renewal that produces $1.7 million annually.
None of these issues will increase taxes and all provide a demonstration of a community's willingness to extend a helping hand to children and adults in need.
The Vindicator urges voters to bear that in mind when they enter the booth Tuesday.