Signs of frustration and fatigue surfaced at times when the Board of Supervisors cut millions of dollars from the proposed FY05 budget. The same situation held true when they restored money last week. All budget decisions were tentative; final votes are expected later this week.
Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) refused to support every move to add funding to the budget Thursday, including $60,000 for a senior citizens meals program. He likened the program to welfare and said it was nothing more than a duplication of services.
Vice Chairman Bruce Tulloch (R-Potomac) challenged Delgaudio to specify exactly how it was duplicated. Delgaudio could not cite a specific program, but said the Department of Social Services provides it. Robert Churls, director of the department, said no such program exists. He said the senior citizens help subsidize the cost by making donations for their meals.
Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) responded. "I am not going to take food out of the mouths of seniors," she said. "I vote for this enhancement."
Tulloch told Delgaudio that there were not enough votes to support his position so "let's move on."
Delgaudio countered, "Who cares what you think?"
After a pause, he added, "I have constituents to represent."
THE BOARD AGREED to restore $504,000 to ensure the county's ball fields are properly maintained. Chairman Scott York (I-Sterling) said the fields would erode without the money and safety would become an issue.
Delgaudio said, "I, for one, will not go back on my vote."
Stephen Snow (R-Dulles) asked Delgaudio whether his stand was based on, "My mind is made up, so don't confuse me with the facts?"
Mick Staton (R-Sugarland) joined Delgaudio in opposing the ball fields maintenance.
The board, with the exception of Delgaudio, also voted to restore $430,000 to the budget to prevent the elimination of two librarians at the Lovettsville Library and a part-time page at the Ashburn Library.
IN OTHER ACTION, the members unanimously agreed to move an unused $2 million from the FY04 litigation contingency fund into the FY05 budget. That money was used for the restorations and other actions taken by the board.
They also moved another $2 million from the contingency fund to the FY05 budget to use for potential litigation.