State cuts affect agencies vital to local citizens

To the editor:

Our parents, friends and neighbors are being affected by what is happening in Jefferson City. Whether elderly, disabled or low-income, we have become an expendable commodity that even monetary cuts can penetrate. I am hoping that everyone who reads this calls our state senators and representatives and the governor to let them know who is being affected by the cuts they feel are so necessary. There are cuts to nutrition centers, Meals on Wheels, Area Agency on the Aging and regional centers as well to 20 centers like ours.

We are in a crisis. If something is not done about the priorities of life versus money, then the World Trade Center disaster didn't teach us anything about ourselves. Agencies in every community in our state are in need of your support.

Life is tenuous and fragile, and your way of life or health can be taken from you at any second.

Send a big thank you to state Reps. Jason Crowell, Patrick Naeger and David Schwab for standing by their convictions that people come first in Southeast Missouri. What a wonderful world it is when our leaders put people's lives ahead of money interests. They are the true advocates for their constituents and for the greater good of Missouri.

It may be that you will be in need of a service being cut.MARY ANN "MIKI"

GUDERMUTH

Executive Director

SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence

Cape Girardeau