Dave Glenn pleads MSU Extension case
The County Development Commission heard Dave Glenn Thursday lay out the possibilities of state cuts in funding for MSU Extension.
?We?ve sent out close to 1,200 letters (to let people know what?s going on),? said Glenn, Presque Isle County?s Extension director.
?Basically when (Gov. Jennifer) Granholm had her meeting on the budget it became very clear that agriculture and MSU Extension were slated for elimination as part of the budget cuts.?
According to Glenn, the governor has finished her recommendations for the budget cuts with press leaks indicating universities will receive a six percent cut.
?It?s an executive order and the governor has an obligation and the right to do what she wants,? Glenn explained. ?She will take input from the House and Senate and they get to vote up or down on it.?
According to Glenn, that?s what is happening at this point. The lower levels of representatives are taking input from the area?s constituents and will feed that information to the higher levels of government.
?Republicans are saying they?re getting inundated with information on 4-H and other programs; the Democrats are saying, ?yeah, we?re getting some, but no more than anybody else.? There?s a lot of politics being played and it?s becoming very much partisan with us being the football.?
GLENN SAID rumors are flying and he?s heard there may be 25 percent-plus cuts.
?We are on the list of cuts…but we don?t know at what level,? Glenn said. ?We get $28.6 million from the state which is state match for federal dollars, which we supplement with local grants and local funding — it?s a domino series — once one thing goes the rest will go.
?The decisions have been made and we?ll negotiate between now and Thanksgiving,? Glenn continued. ?Come December 1 and 2 they will be making the announcement of what cuts there will be through the executive order.?
Glenn said that if there are 50 percent or more in cuts, the MSU Extension offices will be closed by January.
?All the programs associated with MSU Extension such as 4-H. community development, anybody paid or related to MSU Extension will be gone.?
IN THE CASE of Mary Ann Heidemann, whose job is directly entwined with MSU Extension, Glenn said there would have to be a shift to another employer.
?She (Heidemann) would have to be rehired through the county,? Glenn said. ?MSU Extension takes care of her worker?s comp, unemployment, etc., and that would have to be taken care of locally.?
A campaign through MSU Extension has encouraged people to write their senators and state representatives to let them know how Presque Isle County has benefited from MSU Extension and why it should be preserved.
Time is of the essence, but even being late with a letter or an e-mail will help get the word to the state level of the importance of MSU Extension.
?There?s a lot of nervousness anytime you get to the 11th hour, it gets pretty intense,? Glenn said. ?A lot of rumors are flying and we?re just trying to remain optimistic…nobody really knows how it will go.
?We?ll know about our continued existence within a week or two — but once it (MSU Ext.) goes, it probably is gone for good.?
THE CDC passed a motion to write a letter of support and join forces along with Rogers City, Onaway, the PI County Board of Commissioners, and Parks and Recreation to voice their opinions to save MSU Extension from the cuts.
Local MSU Extension programs include: Community and Economic Development which provides business assistance, small business loans, business and community marketing, community development projects, grant writing and funding proposals, and business skills classes.
4-H Youth Programs: after school programs, Summer Youth Recreation at Lakeside Park, 4-H day camp, livestock and horse clubs, character education, county fair exhibits and auctions.
Agricultural Programs: crop plots and recommendations, farmer education meetings, farm safety programs, farmers? market, Ag innovation counselor, wind and biomass energy projects.
Family and Consumer Science: Better Kid Care Training, family nutrition program, building strong families, child abuse prevention, diabetic educa
At the very least a ?Save MSU Extension for Presque Isle County? will let them know which side county residents are on.
?Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909. Phone: (517) 373-3400, Fax (517) 335-6863
?Residents are encouraged to contact Rep. Matt Gillard at S1485 House Office Bldg. Box 30014, Lansing , MI 48909-7514. Phone (517)373-0833, Fax (517) 373-8446 or at e-mail matthewgillard@house.mi.gov
?Sen. Jason Allen at 820 Farnum Bldg. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536. Phone (517) 373-2413, Fax (517) 373-5144 or at e-mail senjallen@senate.michigan.gov
?You can also utilize e-mail to express your views without expecting a response at http:www.michigan.gov/gov/ and click on contact the governor and then scroll down to share your opinion.