Archive: Around Town

The Lansing Town Board held a public hearing on whether to grant Lansing Youth Services an additional $1,300 for their 2005 budget. Last month Program Manager Micaela Cook asked for the funding to make up for a shortfall caused by a rise in the minimum wage. At that time she outlined the many successes the program has achieved this year.

Lansing Youth Employment Coordinator Dawn Kleeschulte appealed to the board in the public hearing, noting the funding is needed to pay for youth jobs. In 2004 $7,825 was spent to employ 36 young people, all in their first jobs. In 2005 $7,889 was allocated which equals 1,531 hours of youth employment at the old minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, but only 1,341 hours at the new $6.00 rate.

To fund the hours lost by the minimum wage rise the program needs $1,297. Ms. Kleeschulte noted that the minimum wage is scheduled to increase again in 2006 to $6.75 per hour and to $7.00 in 2007.

The program provides job training to Lansing youth as well as placement in the schools and the community. Ms. Kleeschulte works with the young people during their employment, monitoring their progress and visiting the job sites. Training continues in monthly meetings, providing students with the skills and confidence needed to hold a job.

Last month Town Supervisor Stephen Farkas promised to check to see if the money is available. Once the public hearing was closed, the board voted unanimously to provide the additional funding. Mr. Farkas noted that the program is "a good thing for our community."