MRDD levy gives voters a chance to do the right thing

People vote for some tax levies because they provide services that are viewed as vital, because they provide a quality of life that improves property values or because it's recognized that if we don't educate the next generation, everyone loses.
Then there are a few levies that people get to support simply because it is the right thing -- because the levy is dedicated to helping children and adults who, in many ways, cannot help themselves.
Such a levy is appearing on the May 8 primary in Mahoning County, the 2-mill renewal for the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Mahoning County has a tradition that stretches back more than four decades of providing educational services for mentally retarded children. Over the years the MRDD has responded to the need to expand those services to thousands of adults who face challenges in life that many of us can only imagine.
Financial struggle
But in recent years, the MRDD has had to struggle to continue providing services to clients as state funding has been reduced. Difficult cuts have been made.
Local levies now produce nearly 75 percent of income needed to provide for:
Two sheltered workshops that provide vocational and habilitation services for 360 disabled adults.
A job placement program that serves 125 adults.
A seniors program at the that provides day services and therapies for medically fragile individuals over the age of 55.
The Leonard Kirtz School, which provides special education services for school-age disabled children in the 6-22 age range. The Mahoning County Educational Services Center operates pre-school and under age 6 services for at-risk children at the school at no cost to the MRDD.
Transportation services for 1,200 clients requires 35 buses and a dozen smaller vehicles.
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.
MRDD is asking only for a renewal. Voting for this issue will not increase taxes.
Vote for or against other levies as your mind tells you to do. But support the MRDD renewal with both your heart and your mind.
The Vindicator urges Mahoning County voters to renew the MRDD 2-mill tax on the May 8 primary ballot.