Replacement levies for social-services boards earn voters' approval

Both ADAMH, MRDD had asked residents for money to fund growing programs

Mary Beth Lane

LANCASTER, Ohio - Voters approved replacement levies for two Fairfield County social-service agencies last night.

Both the Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board had asked for more money.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the MRDD levy passed 55 percent to 45 percent. The ADAMH levy passed 53 percent to 47 percent.

Kim Davis, a 44-year-old hospital pharmacy technician, said she voted for both.

"They need the money," the Reynoldsburg resident said as she left her polling place at Tussing Elementary School.

Keith Lee, a 40-year-old paper company engineer, decided differently.

"I voted against all the levies, including those," the Reynoldsburg resident said. "I'm being taxed too much."

Lancaster voter Jim Daubenmire voted for both.

"They do a great job and they need the support," said Daubenmire, a 50-year-old data strategist for the Ohio Department of Education.

Of the 144 students enrolled in the MRDD's Forest Rose School/Early Childhood Center, 94 are in the Birth-to-Three program, which has tripled its enrollment since 2000 as Fairfield County grows and developmental delays are diagnosed and treated earlier.

That underlined the need for the replacement levy sought by the MRDD board, said John Pekar, board superintendent.

Pekar shared the concern of Orman Hall, director of the ADAMH board, that seeking levies at the same time would confuse voters.

So the social-service professionals shared speaking engagements, some polling and other campaign events to explain what their agencies do and why each sought more money.

Both agencies have people on waiting lists.

ADAMH provides counseling and other services for children and adults who are mentally ill, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or survivors of domestic violence. It serves about 4,000 people a year.

MRDD's school programs and its sheltered workshop for adults, Fairfield Industries, plus related services, together provide education, training and jobs for about 700 children and adults countywide.

mlane@dispatch.com 

Last modified: April 19, 2007