Westside politickin': Merrifield, Lambert disagree on ‘crisis’
|
District 18 State Rep. Michael Merrifield met with residents Aug. 30 at the Village at Skyline to talk about senior
issues.
“State funding cuts and Medicaid cuts are creating a crisis for our senior citizens and retired people. Anticipated cuts will affect not only home-delivered and personal care services but eyeglasses, hearing aids, and transportation to medical appointments also,” Merrifield said in a prepared statement. Merrifield's opponent, Kent Lambert, asked if he agrees there is a crisis, conceded there has been a “growth in clients, short-term economic downturn, and transfers of responsibility from one program to another (that) has sometimes required changes in priorities.” However, he added, “that does not mean we are in a crisis… I'd rather work for real solutions rather than scare senior citizens into believing that the sky is falling.” Sept. 2 and 3 are key dates for the District 3 commissioner race. If the Democrats do not enter a candidate by Sept. 2, or if no write-in files by Sept. 3, then Republican candidate Sallie Clark will be unopposed in the Nov. 2 general election. Attention, Westside candidates! Are you making any campaign appearances, walking districts, kissing babies? Please let us know at 471-6776 or editor@westsidepioneer.com |