Council hears pleas for pool, liaison officer

Two entities that receive partial or full funding from the City of Custer were on hand at last night’s special meeting of the Custer City Council to plea with the council to leave their funding intact for 2011. One entity—the municipal swimming pool—is in the budget but could be cut, while the other—the school liaison officer—is currently out of the budget. The budget isn’t finalized until the end of September, and things can still be added back in or cut.

Derek Booker, Custer School District liaison officer, was joined by Custer High School principal Paul Anderson and high school teacher Chuck Arseneault in making one last plea to save the liaison position. Booker said he understands how the importance of the position could be disputed, and he also understands the budget crunch the city is facing. However, he implored the council to prioritize its cuts and understand the importance to the children of Custer to have a police presence in the school district.

Booker said if the city doesn’t fund its third of the position, roughly $15,000, the county will more than likely pull its funding, meaning the end of the position. The city, county and school district all split the cost for the position equally. He asked how many children’s lives he would have to affect for the council to feel it has gotten its $15,000 worth.

Available only in the print version of the Custer County Chronicle. To subscribe, call 605-673-2217.