If you’re elderly, handicapped or on Medicaid, Guilford County will give you a ride. Otherwise, you’re now on your own.
This is a good lead-in to this morning’s discussion of local government becoming mere handlers of federal money. Today’s N&R editorializes on the “10 step plan” undertaken by Skip Alston and Steve Arnold to reform county government:
If indeed Alston, the Guilford commissioners chairman, and Arnold, the vice chairman, did hatch a brilliant scheme six months ago, it is perfectly brilliant in its ruthlessness, and has elevated brazen deal-making in county politics to a fine art.
Admittedly, some conservatives, notably our own Dr. Guarino, are skeptical about what’s going on down at the old county courthouse. But what thing I’ve noticed —correct me if I’m wrong — commissioners, unlike the school system and city government, don’t seem to be sitting around wringing their hands, worrying when and if the federal government is coming to the rescue with its so-called ‘stimulus money.’ Instead, Alston and Arnold are taking action the old-fashioned way — with no-holes-barred budget cuts. They seem determined that local government is going to get out of this mess on their own —- which is the way it should be.
The N&R asks if the remaining nine commissioners are “leaders or lemmings.” Their silence tells me they know Alston and Arnold are taking the proper course.
