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Did I hear right? Federal funds for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) have been distributed to Mesa County, where they have languished for a while and are now being distributed by the Canyon View Vineyard Church. This just happens to be the church attended by County Commissioner Janet Rowland.
The County doesn’t have ways to distribute funds itself through established channels? Strangely enough, rumors are that some of the funds are going to church members businesses.
Is this yet another one of the ways Ms. Rowland is choosing to let religion — her special religion — intrude on the public’s business? Or does this have political origins? Does she have no shame?
Yes, the funds may be used for good causes, but then again, maybe not. At minimum there is an appearance of conflict of interest. If, in fact, it is discovered that the church is making itself the beneficiary of gratitude for the disbursement of the funds when it is part of the stimulus, roundly criticized by Republican officials like Ms. Rowland as unneeded or yet another Big Government outrage, what are we to think?
If the county and Washington are involved, BAD. If the church is involved, GOOD, apparently. Or does it go deeper than that? Commissioner Meis is in the pocket of the energy industry. Commissioner Rowland is apparently also in the service, first, of other than all the people of Mesa County.
Let’s hear a credible explanation from Commissioner Rowland and the other commissioners as to why this seems to be taking place. Something smells and it is a shame that Ms. Rowland seems to be making it come from her church.
John Borgen
Grand Junction
27 Responses to “Questions about county fund allocations”
Posted July 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Maybe we should be supporting an audit of the county TANF funds.
Anyone on board with that?
Posted July 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I want to know where all the money is going, I’m on board. However, I don’t think the TANF would turn up a whole lot of anything. Now the Federal Reserve, that would be interesting.
Posted July 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I’d say $111,000 of taxpayer money being given to Janet Rowland’s church is something, wouldn’t you?
Posted July 2nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Mr. Borgen said, “Federal funds for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) have been distributed to Mesa County, where they have languished for a while…. The County doesn’t have ways to distribute funds itself through established channels?”
Apparently not. Perhaps someone should find out before spreading unfounded rumors about an established charity that has an established distribution channel for providing both services and goods to the needy - with or without government funds.
“Over the past few days and weeks, there has been much talk about what our government’s role should be during this period of economic emergency. That is as it should be – because there is much that government can and must do to help people in need. But no matter how much money we invest or how sensibly we design our policies, the change that Americans are looking for will not come from government alone. There is a force for good greater than government. It is an expression of faith, this yearning to give back, this hungering for a purpose larger than our own….”
- Barack Obama
Washington (February 5, 2009) – “President Barack Obama today signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs.”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
Posted July 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Right, because the county didn’t have any way of distributing that money other than through the church that Janet Rowland just happens to be a member of.
That’s what I call unfounded.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 7:14 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
well gee scott, would you feel better if the funds were allocated thru your church?
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 7:26 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
No. I’d feel better if they were allocated through existing county programs.
But that’s just me.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Scott: “Maybe we should be supporting an audit of the county TANF funds.”
Actually, counties are audited yearly. But, all they look at is if the funds were distributed “legally” from that organization. What has to be looked at, and that which requires much more effort, is to look at how the organizations who receive those funds use them. That is not always followed up by county officials. So, what I usually do is go to county officials and ask them if they receive an accounting from those organizations to which they have disbursed funds. Not surprisingly, most of the time they do not. Then, I go to the organization that received the funds in question and ask them for an accounting. If they cannot or will not provide it, I smell a “rat”, go back to the public official and ask that they request from, and obtain a periodic accounting of those organization to be placed in the public record, one to which the public has full access.
That, in my experience, is what has to be done. And, if public officials will not cooperate with the citizen requesting in obtaining and providing this information, the officials need to be removed from office.
In this case, the organization receiving the funds is a religious one, and when they sought and received public monies to conduct activities, they not only compromised but forfeit any right to confidentiality of their finances, at least in the area having to do with how they spent the public funds they received.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 8:43 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I’m also curious as to how the decision to give the money to the church was made. When was the meeting where this was discussed?
This could be very interesting indeed.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
As it is the function of the press to keep the public informed, this is something that the Daily Sentinel should investigate thouroughly, and keep us all current. It remains to be seen if such happens or if it is ignored. If the latter, then we need to ask that very simple of questions “Why?”
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Actually, as I understand it this came up due to an investigation by the Sentinel.
BTW, long time no see, Curmudgeon. How’ve you been?
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
curmudgeon: “Your question presupposes that the Daily Sentinel is an unbiased, nonpartisan publication.”
Thank you for reminding all of us as to that even those in the media all have biases, we all do. And I have no problem when those are reflected in the editorial pages, for good or bad. That is what opinion columns are for. However, when those “biases” lead to a failure to objectively report the news, keep the public informed, or “distort” their reporting in order to lend credibility to one party or another, that is something else entirely as what they end up doing is compromising their credibility and relevance. In larger organcizations the separation is even done physically such that editorial writers and reporters are never placed in the same room or part of the building.
So, using Mr. Harmon as an example, he apparently wearing several hats, one as a reporter and the other as a writer of opinion articles should concern every reader. That is something that should be of great concern to the Daily Sentinel and senior staff at that outlet should be greatly concerned with. But, it not being my publication, whether they do or not is entirely up to them.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 10:05 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dr. Wright: “It would certainly be better to resolve this issue than to have to listen to any more moronic statements from the letter writer”
The letter writer brought up a serious question having to do with how public funds are disbursed, and what they are are actually used for. That is not a “moronic” question or issue at all. Such activity is everyone’s business. Or, perhaps the poster is of the opinion that because the monies went to some “religious organization” supposedly for “good works” that full accountability should be suspended or somehow compromised?
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Letter-writer says, “(TANF) have been distributed to Mesa County, where they have languished for a while and are now being distributed by the Canyon View Vineyard Church. This just happens to be the church attended by County Commissioner Janet Rowland.” and SPECULATES based of RUMOR that,
“Strangely enough, rumors are that some of the funds are going to church members businesses.”
Scott jumps on the conspiracy bandwagon saying,
“I’m also curious as to how the decision to give the money to the church was made. When was the meeting where this was discussed?
This could be very interesting indeed.
while he also proclaims,
“It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.”
Any real evidence of wrongdoing? Or just rumor. Just curious.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
BTW - there’s a $1.9 Million dollar property deal coming down the pike which uses $600,000 of TANF money. While your at it, you might want to investigate that too. It’s also probably just fine, but fair is fair.
“On May 18, Mesa County authorized spending $600,000 of federal Temporary Aid to Needy Families funds on the project. The Housing Authority gave its assurances to the Mesa County Commission that until at least 2024, nine of the units will be used for families needing housing assistance.
“The transaction might not have occurred if not for the state Legislature ordering municipalities to spend down their TANF reserves in 2008, Commissioner Steve Acquafresca said.”
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/05/25/052609_2A_GJ_Housing_new.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=7
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
JMH,
I am merely asking a question that I will be researching further. However, given the MCC past history with “executive sessions” and the requirements of public notification and record-keeping of those sessions, it is a valid question.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Regarding the property deal, it would appear that this is also part of the funds not being spent until prompted, which should be questioned also.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Scott - How did you come by the $110,000 figure?
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
In talking to some people on this subjuct, that is the figure that has apparently been given to Janet Rowland’s church.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 5:49 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Apparently? So….. no facts - just suspicions based on “talk”?
Actually, it’s not hard to believe that the Vineyard Church may have been given TANF funds to distribute - in that they provide goods and services to families in need on a regular basis. (food bank, clothing drives for the homeless, home improvements)
In addition, via one of the goals/programs of the Mesa County Benevolent Community Partnership program:
****
Employment / Life Skills
Purpose: This committee works to help bridge the gap for those seeking
employment or needing basic life skills such as budgeting of households.
A key focus of this committee is the Faith Partners Program which
matches teams of mentors from local churches with families seeking to
work their way out of poverty.
Goals:
1. Strengthen/expand Faith Partners
2. Address transportation needs
a. Coordinate with the Canyon View Vineyard’s – God’s Garage program to repair and donate cars / and repair privately owned cars. Use volunteers to assist mechanics for on-the-job training.
b. Bike drives to obtain donations of bikes-
3. Utilize church contacts to increase volunteer capacity to support the expansion of the Community Homeless Shelter to allow for day shelter for families, women and those that are ill.
http://www.mesacounty.us/mcweb/volunteer/bcp/Benevolent%20Community%20Partnership%20Summary.pdf
I also wouldn’t be surprised if Catholic Outreach and St. Mathews Church may have also received TANF funds to be distributed via their roles in the operation of the GJ Community Homeless Shelter.
Posted July 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Yes, JMH. Apparently. I did not see the money physically change hands, so I am not stating it as a fact. Right now, it is, as you say, just suspicions based on talk. For now. That’s how investigations start.
If the investigation provides facts to support the “talk” then we’ll see what happens.
You’ll notice no one is calling for Janet Rowland’s resignation or for the money to be returned by the church. That’s because rational people wait for sufficient evidence before taking action.
Posted July 4th, 2009 at 12:11 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Hey my church, the pagan christian haters want some free federal money too, where do we get in line? or are we just left out altogether because we are not in the club?
Posted July 4th, 2009 at 4:32 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
drunky says, “Hey my church, the pagan christian haters want some free federal money too, where do we get in line? or are we just left out altogether because we are not in the club?”
Hey drunky - join the club! You’ll just have to leave your hatred at the door. Let us know when your next food/clothing drive takes place & I’ll drop my donations off. Or - if you don’t do that kind of thing, what do you do? With the economy the way it is, there are many people in need. I know of a family that still needs a little more help after Dad lost his job - and they just had a new baby that was delivered (free of charge - thankfully!) at ST. MARY’S Hospital. They OK with baby supplies for now, but they also have older kids who are growing like weeds and Catholic Outreach is short on their sizes. Their car died and it’s getting fixed by a volunteer from the Vinyard, but Dad could use some help getting around job hunting since I can’t always loan him my car at the times he needs to run around. Would anybody from your group be able to help? I don’t think they go to church - is it only “Christians need not apply” for PCH assistance? Are persons of any other Faith eligible or do you have to become a “pagan christian hater”? If so, I’ll send them to Salvation Army or one of the other local church groups - I don’t think they care what Faith people are in order to provide assistance.
How do they apply for assistance from you kind folks? How does anyone apply for assistance? You really ought to put your ad in the phone book and let Social Services know - they like to keep their resource lists up-to-date and I don’t think you’re on it.
Posted July 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
A tempest in a tea-pot.
Posted July 4th, 2009 at 6:10 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
maybe we should let the gj city council handle the TAFN money, then we could have a dozen more roundabouts………………
Posted July 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
JMH, if the guy is not a felon and under the age of 40, he could join the army, navy, marines or airforce and have a recession-proof job and does not have to rely upon the transient lifestyle of the o and g industry. Or perhaps he could just bide time until the economy recovers and the spot price of o and g comes back up.
Posted July 6th, 2009 at 5:50 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Even Charles doesn’t have anything to say.
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