Inside this issue ... Vol. 38 No. 21 • November 13, 2006 More than a place to connect “The wisdom to know and to the Web, Orange County the courage to defend the Find out who leads NACo’s and Carrboro, N.C.’s ‘Cybrary’ public interest” policy steering committees proves to be a model meet- and how you can become ing place as well. See Model involved. See pages 8–9. Programs, page 11. National Association of Counties • Washington, D.C. www.naco.org • www.countynews.org Voters choose to restrict eminent domain powers, nix TABOR laws BY DAN MILLER California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, 83–17 and in Michigan the margin STAFF WRITER Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, was 80–20. While the country’s eyes were North Dakota, Oregon and South According to Kathy Williams, as- fi xed on the change of power at Carolina, posed questions concerning sistant director of administration for the federal level, with Democrats the use of eminent domain for private the South Carolina Association of gaining a majority in the House of economic development purposes, an Counties, the passage of her state’s Representatives and Senate, voters issue thrust into the spotlight by the measure was not a surprise. also cast their ballots on a variety of recent Kelo v. New London U.S. Su- “It’s a national trend after the court initiatives, referendums and constitu- preme Court case. case. I think there are folks that have tional amendments. Of these measures, all but made people nervous about the gov- In general, the public voted in favor California’s and Idaho’s passed, ernment taking their property,” she of restricting eminent domain for pri- many of them by large margins, said. “We’ve got some very vocal vate economic development purposes, according to unoffi cial returns. For and against Taxpayer Bill of Rights- instance, in Georgia the margin was ■ See VOTERS on page 7 style (TABOR) laws that would limit Twenty-nine percent of county law enforcement agencies experienced youth state government spending. gang problems in 2004, according to the National Youth Gang Center. In re- Election 2006: The County Connection sponse to teen gang involvement and youth violence, counties have established productive alternative activities and informative programs to keep young Eminent domain laws pass Among the winners in the Nov. 7 mid-term election for the U.S. people on the right track. See a list of these programs on page two. in nine states House are several currently serving or former county offi cials. Eleven states, including Arizona, Katherine Anne Castor (D) has been a Hillsborough County, Fla. commissioner since 2003. (Fla.-11th) Congress approves FY07 Department Hank Johnson (D) has been a DeKalb County, Ga. commissioner since 2001. He won former Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s seat. – (Ga.-4th) of Homeland Security appropriations John Bradley Ellsworth (D) defeated incumbent Rep. John Hostettler. Ellsworth has been the Vanderburgh County, Ind. sheriff since 1999 BY DALEN A. HARRIS in FY05 to about $2.7 billion in FY07. levels, but a $115 million decrease and before that was a deputy in the sheriff’s department. (Ind.-8th) ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Counties nationwide use these funds compared to FY05) John Hall (D) served in the Ulster County, N.Y. Legislature in the late to purchase specialized equipment and • $375 million for DHS’ Law Prior to adjourning for the Elec- 1980s, and was a member of the ’70s band, Orleans. (N.Y.-19th) tion Day recess, both the House and to prepare, prevent and respond to fu- Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Senate approved the Department of ture “all-hazard events” and terrorist Grant Program (a $65 million de- Nick Lampson (D) won a fi fth term. He previously served as Homeland Security (DHS) appro- threats. Additionally, these programs crease compared to FY06 enacted Jefferson County, Texas tax assessor-collector from 1977–1995. priation bill. The approval of DHS provide funding to counties for tech- levels, and a $11 million decrease (Texas-22nd) appropriations brings the total of nical assistance and disaster-related compared to FY05) approved FY07 appropriations bills training and exercises. • $547 million for DHS’ FIRE to two. Eleven FY07 budgets remain Specifically, the legislation Grants (a $108 million decrease Quik Takes outstanding. provides the following amounts compared to FY06 enacted levels, for several key programs in FY07, and a $168 million decrease com- TToop FFiveive CCountiesounties IInn 4 StatesStates The legislation provides $34.8 wwithith thethe highesthighest numbernumber billion for the department in FY07, including: pared to FY05), and an increase of $2.3 billion compared • $525 million for DHS’ State • Approximately $300 million to the FY06 enacted level. However, Homeland Security Grant Program for various state and local training AArizonarizona NNewew JJerseyersey PPennsylvaniaennsylvania FFloridalorida the bill continues Congress’ gradual (a $50 million decrease compared to initiatives (a $30 million increase Pima Camden Philadelphia Miami-Dade trend of reducing key state and local FY06 enacted levels, and a $560 mil- compared to FY06 enacted levels, Yuma Essex Berks Orange Santa Cruz Burlington Lehigh Osceola assistance programs. Overall, key state lion decrease compared to FY05) and a $142 million decrease com- • $770 million for DHS’ Urban pared to FY05). Maricopa Atlantic Lancaster Broward and local fi rst responder assistance Gloucester Cochise Northampton Palm Beach programs important to counties have Area Security Initiative (a $5 million decreased from a total of $3.7 billion increase compared to FY06 enacted ■ See FY07 DHS on page 5 NACo Moving Date Changed ... New Offi ces to Open Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 2 County News, November 13, 2006 County programs aim to curb youth/gang violence BY DAN MILLER At the advanced level, partici- have 250 youths participate annu- from the gang or the consequences week, Monday through Thursday, STAFF WRITER pants work on teamwork skills and ally and to educate them about the of gang association. from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Tutoring is pro- Keeping youth engaged and strive to achieve group consensus. principles of “minimum impact” and A product of the DuPage County vided by county staff and volunteer involved in constructive activities They work together to come up “leave no trace” on nature, as well State’s Attorney’s Task Force on tutors from Loudoun County Public is and has been a continual focus with slogans and posters against as other environmental education Gangs, the Parental Gang Educa- Schools. for the nation’s counties. According violence. techniques. tion Class conducts classes for both The After School Apartment to the National Youth Gang Center, The fi nal level allows participants The program is funded through English- and Spanish-speaking Program has partnered with many 29 percent of county law enforce- to train to become facilitators to run a grant from the state as well as households. Unlike ordinary gang public and private entities, including ment agencies experienced youth workshops on their own. matching county funds. Over the awareness programs, which educate the police department, which conducts gang problems in 2004. Of that Michael Arteberry, youth devel- course of four years, the program’s about symbols, colors and gang ac- safety classes with elementary-aged number, 82 percent of the agencies opment director for the guidance cost amounts to approximately tivities, the class seeks to motivate students and the interfaith food bank, serve large cities, 42 percent serve center that sponsors the program, $131,000. and inform parents. Classes are run by which provides after-school snacks to suburban counties, 27 percent serve says that the program is successful The program measures its own a gang intervention expert, a preven- help get homework completed. The small cities and 14 percent serve rural because it is experiential, not involv- success by testing its subjects knowl- tion specialist and a translator. Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s counties. ing passive lectures. edge of environmental techniques. The classes are set up as follows: Capital has begun including female In an effort to reduce youth vio- “I’ve seen that many of the Ninety-four percent of youth partici- After an introduction, the parents are participants in fi eld trips and activities; lence and prevent gang involvement, teens don’t formulate trusting re- pants demonstrated an understand- given a pre-test of myths and facts and the Substance Abuse and Addic- counties have employed a variety of lationships. Many feel that they ing of “minimum impact,” “leave about gangs. This is followed by a tion Recovery Alliance has donated programs. County News has gathered have high self-esteem, but when no trace” and other environmental classroom and small group discussion funding for fi ve staff members to be a sampling of these programs. they look at their behaviors, they education techniques. of what a gang member actually is. trained to teach the parenting curricu- see they’re not showing respect for The parents are then shown a fi lm lum entitled Guiding Good Choices. Westchester County, N.Y. themselves,” he said. Suffolk County, Mass. about why kids join gangs and are The Power of Peace He adds that the key to a suc- Project Strength and provided with resources to turn to. Multnomah County, Ore. cessful program “is to allow the Spirit After the implementation of the Reclaiming Futures Born out of the county’s Sum- students to really dictate what they class, the instructors faced obstacles mit on Gang Prevention and Youth need” rather than have adults set In 2002, Suffolk County District such as intoxicated parents and the One of 10 pilot communities Violence, held last April by County the tone. Attorney Daniel Conley declared unexpected arrival of juveniles at across the country, Reclaiming Fu- Executive Andy Spano and District witness intimidation as one of public the class.