Don’t cut aid to our neighbors

We are Mainers. The best part of us lends a hand even when we need a hand ourselves. Gov. John Baldacci has the jaw-clenching job of reconciling Maine’s $190 million budget shortfall. Left with nothing but unpleasant choices, he has opted to balance the budget in part by slicing funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, which in turn may cut funds to programs that provide services to our neighbors, some of whom are challenged by mental and physical limitations most of us cannot even imagine. These programs are provided by organizations such as Amicus, that along with similar agencies, provide services to many of our fellow citizens.

The proposed cuts, labeled “painful” by the governor and newspaper editors, will be felt by organizations across the state. Soon the headlines and speeches about the “painful” cuts will make their way to the back pages and then off the agenda altogether, but the effects will be felt for generations.

The relationship between good residential programs and day programs has been the hallmark of an excellent Maine system, one which has been studied by many other states. Amicus is a quietly efficient provider of day program services for many of Bangor’s citizens.

Over its long history, Amicus has developed capabilities that cannot be duplicated in small group homes, no matter how caring they are. Each day over 300 people are transported to Amicus to meet with friends, contribute to society and be part of something beyond four walls. Many of those 300 people come from residential programs to Amicus facilities, which have equipment and staff that have the unique ability to enrich their lives.

Amicus provides therapy for some, jobs for others and the chance to be a part of our community for all. Some are given the chance to learn to communicate through sign language, computer-assisted speech and other complex methods which allow those without speech to communicate. Amicus also provides daily physical, occupational and speech therapy for adults with multiple disabilities, many of whom need total personal care, specialized transportation and devices to keep their bodies from deteriorating.

Amicus takes pride in being a good steward of the taxpayer’s dollar. They have developed a model for providing services with a well-educated, dedicated staff that delivers those services with extraordinary efficiency. There are 145 full- and part-time staff, talented people with the experience and training that allows them to be at once efficient and effective.

If the proposed funding structures are implemented, Amicus may have to close its doors. The carefully built and battle tested infrastructure and staffing will be shattered. Thirty-five years of serving Bangor’s most vulnerable citizens will end. Over 300 of our neighbors will lose services that have provided quality in their lives for as long as 20 years for some. One hundred and forty-five jobs will disappear, rivaling the number of jobs lost when a paper mill closes. Losing a job is tough for anyone and it would be hard on those who work for Amicus, but they will mostly pick themselves up and take their talent and advocacy and efficiency and education to other jobs. Just not in Maine.

If cuts have to be made they should be done so that we don’t lose excellent programs like Amicus. Once it is gone it cannot be replicated.

We are Mainers. We honor those for whom even the smallest task can be a struggle. We do not leave people in need behind.

Ken Rozeboom of Bangor is a commodities broker and president of the board of directors of Amicus, which provides services for people with mental retardation and other disabilities.