By Karen Blackledge
DANVILLE — The elimination of Montour County’s West Nile virus program is yet another reason residents should be calling state legislators and demanding that a state budget be passed, the county commissioners say.
Come Monday, 36 counties — including Northumberland, Snyder and Union — will lose West Nile virus program funding as a result of a proposed $1.5 million cut from the Department of Environmental Protection.
The state budget is 58 days overdue.
“Call, scream, holler, march out front, go to Harrisburg,” Commissioner Jack Gerst said Tuesday night of contacting legislators over the budget deadlock.
Added Commissioner Trevor Finn: “It is imperative people contact their legislators to get this budget impasse done away with. Write, e-mail or call legislators. Leave messages every day, not only with our representatives but also with senior members and policy members. I am worried that those who are most vulnerable will suffer.”
Infants and the elderly are the most at-risk populations to suffer from West Nile.
Because the West Nile program funding has been eliminated as a result of the budget standoff, Montour County risks losing Greg Molter, part-time vector control department director. A state grant — along with $5,796 the county contributes toward the program — pays his salary. Molter also serves as county zoning officer on a part-time basis.
Molter said the DEP grant for the program for the entire year is $49,481. The program has been in effect since 2000.
“I hope we don’t lose you,” Finn told Molter.
Molter replied: “I have to protect my family.”
One positive West Nile test pool of mosquitoes was found recently near Washingtonville, said Molter, who traps mosquitoes, sends samples for testing and sprays mosquito-prone areas.
Montour County’s West Nile virus program is among 36 in the state to lose funding. Funding in 7th- and 8th-class counties has been cut. Montour is an 8th-class county.
“There’s no rhyme or reason to continuing funding in metropolitan areas and not keeping the program in Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties,” Molter said.
According to information Molter researched on the state’s West Nile Web site, an 84-year-old woman in Northumberland County died of the virus in 2003 and a 72-year-old man from Snyder County died of the virus in October 2003.
He said he attended a conference in 2007 where two survivors of the virus spoke. One was from Northumberland County and the other from Juniata County. He said they still were suffering from the virus a year after contracting it.
Pennsylvania’s West Nile program is one of the best in the nation, Molter said.
“We have a high population of elderly and quite a few nursing homes,” Finn said of Montour County.
Finn said Senate Bill 850, passed by the Senate and the House, provided $5.19 million for the program, and the governor requested $7 million-plus for West Nile abatement. A line item veto slashed $1.5 million from the program.
“I believe that’s why we are in the situation we are now,” Finn said.
“How many programs out there are not being funded, and why couldn’t they wait to reinstate it and then pay the bill?” Commissioner Jerry Ward asked. “This year has been probably one of the wettest seasons in years.”
Legislators, Gerst said, “live in a fantasy world and do absolutely nothing and still keep their jobs and benefits.”
Earlier, Ward said, “Leadership? I don’t think so.”
Finn said the county is the safety net, having to take care of indigent people and prisoners.
“All that we have done ...” Finn said. “We may not be able to make it through the end of the year. We have done everything in our power so far. We have changed insurance, changed banks, gone out and jacked up bridges, used inmate labor and have done quite a bit to save taxpayers money.
“If we can’t get the money the state owes us, the last thing we want to do is raise taxes, especially in these times,” Finn said.
Said Ward: “It’s a shame we have good employees and a good program and it is snuffed out. Rural counties don’t mean anything.”
Said Gerst: “We carry the ball as hard as we can. We really need some help. If (state lawmakers) don’t represent us now, don’t come looking for us for a vote, and I know they’re going to come.”
