Several issues are
expected to be on the May 6 primary ballot, but the Alcohol, Drug
Addiction and Mental Health Services Board decided not to add their
issue to the ballot this spring.
The ADAMH Executive
Board met Tuesday night, moving up its Feb. 26 board meeting to decide
whether its funding issue should go back on the ballot. The filing
deadline is Feb. 20.
Instead, the board
voted unanimously to accept recommendations made by Orman Hall,
executive director of the ADAMH Board.
"When I look at
the need for additional revenue, I think we can say we have a legitimate
desperate need," Hall said. "(However), the tax environment in
the state and Fairfield County is toxic right now. There are a number of
fairly high-profile local tax initiatives being debated.
"I think the
mood of the voters will be very negative towards tax issues this
spring," Hall said. "I think it would be more productive to
spend time educating the public and pursuing grants instead of being on
the ballot in what would appear to be an almost certain defeat."
Hall recommended the
board put forth its efforts in running a media relations campaign,
aggressively pursue grant opportunities and begin an ongoing
fund-raising event.
Prior to the vote,
board members and executive directors from the board's contracting
agencies discussed the pros and cons of placing the issue on the ballot
in May.
"Basing our
decision on all the other issues on the ballot is a mistake," said
Tony Motta, executive director of New Horizons. "There's always
going to be other issues on the ballot."
ADAMH's contracting
agencies are New Horizons, The Recovery Center, The Lighthouse, Mid-Ohio
Psychological Services, Fairfield Mental Health Consumer Group and
Fairfield Medical Center.
In November's
general election, Issue 15, a 1-mill levy, was defeated. The levy
would've cost the owner of a $100,000 home $30.62 a year or $2.55 a
month.
"It would be
very difficult to pass (another) issue in May, because of the lack of
recognition of the ADAMH name," Motta said.
Brad Hedges,
executive director of Mid-Ohio Psychological Services, suggested the
board run a non-levy campaign.
"The voters
have told us they don't support ADAMH. They don't recognize the
fundamental services provided," Hedges said. "I think we have
to let the voters know about the eroding discretionary funding in
services that the community has historically identified as being
important."
This means helping
people understand the role of ADAMH.
"The bottom
line is we have to put it out there and run a campaign without being on
the ballot," Hedges said.
Even if the issue
went to the ballot in May and passed, the board wouldn't see any money
until Jan. 1, 2004.
"If we go on
the ballot in November, we will begin collecting some money on Jan. 1,
2004," Hall said. "There's no advantage by going on in May
than in November."
Henry Shover,
chairman of the New Horizons executive board disagreed.
"In a way I'm
disappointed," Shover said. "I understand what (Hall) is
saying, but I feel it should be put on the ballot. The need is there,
even though we wouldn't collect (money) until January."
Although ADAMH Board
member Maria Reitano voted to accept the recommendations, she believes
repetition is important.
"My feeling
would be for the issue to be on the ballot," Reitano said. "We
have to continue to keep the public aware of mental health and
recovery."
Hall plans to
provide a more in depth outline of the recommendations at the regularly
scheduled meeting in March.
Originally
published Wednesday, February 12, 2003
