Once again, the citizens of Rumford, those who bother to vote, are being asked to make difficult financial decisions in the June 12 balloting process.

In particular, residents are again being asked to fund General Assistance (welfare).

Recent attempts to shrink the program, or even eliminate it, were ineffective. Reducing office hours created hardship for all involved. None of those actions led to a reduction in the work or the funding required.

Expecting others to fill the void has taken them away from their chief responsibilities. More important, none of the alternates are adequately trained to do the work necessary and costly mistakes become probable.

It is not possible to make “welfare” go away by underfunding or, worse yet, not funding it at all. State and federal laws require the town to provide those services.

The General Assistance manager has more than 20 years of experience implementing the ever-changing rules. If she fails to administer the program according to requirements, we all lose. Were it not for her proficiency, it is likely that an applicant could receive assistance not deserved or be unfairly denied benefits.

We should respect a knowledgeable and dedicated employee who is highly professional and motivated. She has the courage to face the problems of others daily and she deserves our trust.

As a citizen of Rumford, I support the amount of funding recommended by the Finance Committee. Failure to do so could cost residents more in the end.

Ted Hotham, Rumford