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Funding Cuts Affect Park & Heritage Services
Due to the poor state of our economy, Montgomery County is projecting a $53.5 million shortfall for the 2010 budget and as a result, cuts are being made in County departments, including the Department of Park & Heritage Services. The Norristown Farm Park is under the administration of this Department. The Times Herald reported on October 30, 2009 that James R. Matthews, the Chairman of the County Commissioners, announced the termination of the four Park & Heritage Services Chiefs (Planning and Design Chief, Finance and Information Technologies Chief, Facilities Management Chief and Communication and Marketing Chief) as of November 27, 2009. Their duties will be taken over by other employees of the Department and by other departments. These jobs were created during a recent reorganization of the Department. In addition, the Park & Heritage Services Director’s salary will be cut by 20%. According to the Times Herald, Chairman Matthews said, “I feel there will be more adjustments.” At the October 10, 2009 NFP Advisory Committee Meeting, Ken Lewis from the State Parks Regional Office reported that he did not know what the state park allocation would be, since the state budget for 2010 was not finalized at that time. Usually NFP receives $350,000 from the state, but it is possible that no funding would be provided. The state money goes to Montgomery County, which then delivers it to NFP. Ron Ahlbrandt, Director of the Department of Park & Heritage Services, reported that Montgomery County intends to keep NFP open through 2010.
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