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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HIGH POINT MODEL CITY COMMISSION
January 14,1972
Commission Approves Reprogram Package
Reprogramming is a big word that
means finding the best ways to spend
unspent money.
In the Model Cities process, repro
gramming is a regular cycle which
takes place when unused money ac
cumulates from various projects.
Even with the most careful budget
planning, there are bound to be new
situations which could alter a pro
ject, or difficulties in getting it under
way. Budgets are designed to be as
flexible as possible, especially those of
new, innovative projects never tried
before.
Some money in the total budget this
year has remained unspent by the
operating agencies of Model Cities
projects. When agencies carmot use
funds initially allotted to them, the
Model Cities, or City Demonstration
Agency, staff totals the available funds
and advises the entire Model City
Commission.
In reprogramming, the CDA staff
studies all the budgets, updates them
and revises them if necessary with the
consent of the project directors. Where
there is a need for more money, a
plan for increasing the budget is dravra
up for approval. Where there is ex
cess money, the Model City Commis
sion takes the money and finds ways
of redistributing it to other projects.
Last year the reprogramming pro
cess took place four times. This month
Most
Pocketbook Prophecy: Get
From Your Paycheck in 1972
What can your pocketbook expect
in 1972?
In High Point, the economic picture
is somewhat brighter than in other
parts of the country. According to the
Employment Security Commission, the
city had only a 2.8 percent xmemploy-
ment rate as of November, compared
to over 6 percent unemployment na
tionwide.
Furthermore, labor market analyst
Harold E. Hutchinson says that the
number of persons employed in High
Point’s textile industry will go up 2^
percent by the end of March if exper
ienced men and women can be found.
“In this area, weVe got almost a
tight labor market,” said Hutchinson.
“F^umiture — High Point’s major in
dustry — is enjoying a heyday again.”
But despite this favorable labor pic
ture, there are several things the wage-
eamer can do to make sure he stays
out of the financial doghouse.
Even though High Point has a low
unemployment rate, the hourly earn
ings for workers in the manufacturing
industries in Greensboro-High Point-
Winston-Salem is lower than those in
other parts of the country, according
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
So even if a man has a job, he
still needs all the help he can get to
stretch his pocketbook.
True, the forecast for the first quar
ter of the new year is good. “From
all appearances,” says Hutchinson of
Employment Security Commission,
“we’ll not have an adverse economy
during the first quarter, through
March.
“As best we can tell, furniture is go
ing quite strong, and hosiery is hold
ing its own. We don’t foresee any
changes . . . but then, none of us
know what will happen 30 days from
now.”
POINTERS OFITERED
To make sure he gets the most from
his paycheck, there are several point
ers Hutchinson and others in economic
counseling have to give the “blue-
collar” worker in High Point.
First of all, the more experience
and training a man or woman has,
the better chance he has first of getting
a job, and then of advancing in pay
once he gets it. Many positions in
local mills and plants are for trainees,
said Hutchinson, which allow a work
er to leam a job while he receives
a minimum salary.
Comprehensive Manpower Services,
a Model Cities program operated by
Guilford Technical Institute, also helps
workers get skilled training and find
jobs afterward. Their oflBces, located
in the Arcade Building at 329 N. Main
Street, are open to all persons having
employment problems, particularly
those without a skill and those in the
Model Neighborhood.
Consumer Credit Counseling, an
other Model Cities program, is open
for all persons who are having financial
problems. Advice and counseling is
available for those who have had trou
ble getting credit, or managing their
money.
Barry Boneno, director of the free
counseling service, pointed out sev
eral things which could help stretch
a family’s budget and help them spend
their money more wisely.
“Before purchasing a car, these peo
ple should see me,” said Boneno. “Buy
ing a car is a big step, and very com
plex, and people should know exactly
what they’re getting into.”
Before buying, one should know the
actual purchase price, as well as the
separate price for financing, he said.
PLAN AHEAD
Grocery buying can also take too
large a slice out of a family’s budget
if they don’t plan menus ahead.
Boneno advises that the same mem
ber of the family do all the food buy
ing, and have a list before going to
the store.
“They should always eat first before
they go, too,” Boneno suggested. He
said that the buyer should always
read grocery ads in a newspaper, and
not be misled by stores which adver
tise only a few inexpensive items. The
other items in the store, he warned,
are not necessarily cheap, too.
When buying such things as meat,
Boneno suggested one buy by price
of a serving, not by price of a pound.
Installment buying can also ruin a
family’s budget. Boneno advised per
sons buying on credit to know the
total cost of the purchase before com-
miting themselves.
The pocketbook of the man-on-the-
street might not be any fatter in 1972,
but around High Point, chances are
good for him at least having a job
this year.
And by cutting a few comers, and
getting a few helpful tips from those in
the know, he may just come out on top.
is the first time reprogramming has
taken place in this fisc^ year, which
began August 1.
$^000 AVAILABLE
Approximately $200,000 has accum
ulated and is available for the January
reprogramming. An exact total will be
known as soon as the latest budget
reports from all of the current 25 pro
jects are in.
At the January 6 meeting of the
entire Model City Commission, ten
projects were approved to receive
funds for the remainder of the year.
These projects, which will be
brought before City Council for ap
proval January 20, have gone throu^
the same plaiming process as other
projects approved for the second action
year.
Having originated in a task force,
they will hopefidly meet needs the
task forces have identified in the com
munity. Once these projects are passed
in City Council, the entire reprogram
ming package must be presented to
the Department of Housing and Urban
Development for final approval before
going into effect.
The following are projects approved
by the Model City Commissioners for
the first of possibly two or tliree re-
(Continued on page 4)
Kwto by Art Richardson
Model Cities helps keep smiles on children’s faces.