Date published: 8/25/2007

Delinquency prevention is wise investment, and Bryce Reeves knows it

In beginning my third year as executive director of the Rappahannock Area Office on Youth, it has been a continual source of frustration to see the lack of emphasis placed on youth delinquency-prevention efforts by the current Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

While I realize that the county cannot be responsible for funding every program and service for its residents and must make difficult decisions on funding priorities, the return on investment for funding youth delinquency-prevention services is much greater than funding detention and jail services.

The FY 2008 county budget reflects the current mentality, given that the detention and jail facilities received nearly $300,000 budget increases each, when nearly all community agency and service providers received no increase or even decreases in funding.

I have recently had the privilege of talking with Bryce Reeves, who is running for Livingston District supervisor. It is a welcome change to find a dedicated public servant and family man who has the background, knowledge, and moral courage to want to challenge the status quo, and who believes that an investment in our youth will reap greater benefits than expanding the jail and the detention center.

I challenge my fellow Spotsylvania County residents to take a closer look at what our public officials truly stand for, and to make your votes count for the youth of our county.

Date published: 8/25/2007