The borough should continue to administer
its own welfare program for single people
Furthermore, only cursory evidence that eliminating administration of the program would save money and help Manville citizens have been shown so far.
Local administration of the program is up for a second vote and fifth discussion by the Borough Council on Monday, March 12. The second vote is the result of one councilman’s misunderstanding of his own vote on an ordinance to keep the program in town.
Councilman Michael Polak on Feb. 26 said he didn’t understand what his vote meant at the meeting Feb. 12. In the meantime, he had found out that the local welfare program serves only a handful or so of single people, and that senior citizens generally don’t benefit from it. He also told The Manville News that the welfare recipients are transients who do not own homes in the borough.
Elitism aside, the revote is unwarranted because he had every chance to study the issue and cast an informed vote the first time.
To revisit an issue because new information or new laws arise is one thing, but to claim ignorance and ask for another vote at the next meeting shows a lack of preparation. Democracy is messy, though it does hold voters accountable for their decisions. Manville’s council votes by voice, saying a simple "yes" or "no," though the issues can get tricky at times. For example, in this welfare vote, a "yes" would send the services to the county and a "no" would keep them in Manville. Council members who are confused should make sure they ask about the ramifications of the vote at the proper time.
It also makes sense for Manville to continue to help its people in need through the setup it had in place for many years, where one person would help those who needed housing assistance, welfare grants and other social services.
The reconsideration of the welfare issue started in January, just after the retirement of Mirella Gazo, the longtime social services director for the borough. She had earned $56,000 a year for three part-time jobs that were combined, and was available full-time.
The term of her temporary replacement as welfare director, Linda Giordano, ends March 31. Ms. Giordano’s voice mail message tells callers she is available four hours a week, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Her $1,000 a month salary takes into account that she is on call at other times, though her phone message directs callers to another number for housing assistance.
The borough theoretically could save $24,000 plus benefits by not hiring a welfare director, though the amount it would pay someone to administer the social services and housing components is unknown and would eat into that savings.
Many people in need may not know where to turn for assistance, and having someone available during weekday office hours is about all the borough can do to help them officially. It’s also what the borough should do.