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the Prosecuting Attorney, include personnel needed to keep up with the growing <br /> <br /> population of our Island and the problems associated with our Ice Epidemic. <br /> Supplemental Budget Requests for FY 2004-2005 were in excess of $11 million. The <br /> vast majority of these requests were denied due to lack of funds. <br /> One has to question: if money is not available to provide equipment and needed <br /> personnel, why are we looking to reduce our revenues? <br /> I will provide a few examples of the types of needs I am referring to. They are by no <br /> means all inclusive: <br /> 1. Parks and Recreation: Nearly al] of the ocean lifeguard towers are in <br /> need of replacement or repair two towers were recently torn down due to at least <br /> one injury suffered by a rusted out ladder collapsing under the weight of a <br /> lifeguard. The Union repeatedly tried to get these towers replaced over the years, <br /> only to be told: "there isn't any money." In addition to the towers, we are all <br /> well aware that many of our recreational facilities need repair and maintenance. <br /> 2. Fire Department: Fire Fighters have been added, but not enough to keep <br /> up with the demand for services; there are insufficient support staff to keep up <br /> with the needs of the uniformed staff; the Fire vehicle fleet is in need of repair <br /> and replacement of older vehicles; at least two Fire Engines are close to 20 years <br /> old; only two back-up Fire Engines on the entire island and those vehicles are not <br /> in good working condition; and, there currently is no plan for routine replacement <br /> of Fire vehicles. <br /> 3. Police Deparhnent: Needs additional Police Officers, Supervising Police <br /> Officers; Radio Dispatchers; support personnel; vehicles and equipment. <br /> Supplemental Budget Requests for FY 2004-2005 were in excess of $5 million. <br /> Again, the majority of these requests went unfunded. <br /> 4. Prosecuting Attorney: Clerical support staff and Investigators are unable <br /> to keep up with demands, especially since the implementation of the Drug Task <br /> Force; their aging phone system needs to be replaced; their vehicles need to be <br /> replaced, one Ford Taurus has over 150,000 miles on it; they are still using an <br /> outdated WANG computer system; State funding for the Victim Witness Program <br /> has declined while requests for services have risen; the Office has received <br /> Federal Grants for the "Gun Prosecutor" position, however that money will run <br /> out and County funding will be needed. <br /> 5. Public Works: The Building Permit and Inspection section received <br /> numerous complaints of poor service from the public due to inadequate staffing; <br /> building permits increased from 2724 in 1997 to 4507 in 2003 with no increase in <br /> staff; computerized building permit system is still not fully functional due to lack <br /> of funds; nearly all vehicles are way overdue for replacement especially in <br /> <br />