State Welfare System To Be Studied
North Carolina's 100
mnties may find a solution to
r financial problems by
itting out of the welfare
usiness if a study to be
inducted for the state taking
r the administration and
nancing of these programs
roves feasible to the next
tssion at the General
tembly.
Such a study was authorized
n Wednesday of last week at
be meeting of the State Board
f Social Services in Raleigh.
Robert L. Lyday, a member
f the board from Bryson City,
n a motion that was
nanimousiy approved by the
oard proposed that a study be
lade to determine the
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feasibility of the state taking
over the complete financing
and administration of the
social services program in
North Carolina.
Lyday stated he had met
with various county
commissioners from the
western part of the state and
that they stated rising welfare
costs were creating a financial
crisis in their counties.
Under the present system
the state and counties share the
non-federal share of the
program. When the General
Assembly approves the total
welfare budget, it makes the
county's share of the funds
mandatory.
The only real source of
income for counties is the ad
valorem property tax which
has limitations.
Commissioner of Social
Services Clifton M. Craig told
the board that 36 states
already have a state
administered welfare system
and the Virginia legislature just
recently voted to change their
system. He also stated that
some counties have already run
out of welfare money for this
year and are faced with a
significant budget increase for
the next year.
Under a state system the
state would maintain offices
throughout the state to provide
social services and financial aid
to its citizens. This would
relieve the counties of all
financial responsibility in
maintaining its present county
departments of social services
and these funds could be
converted to other critical
needs.
The State Board of Social
Services Wednesday approved a
record budget request for the
next biennium of $569 million.
This means an increase of $178
million over the current
biennium budget of $391
million.
The counties will face an
Animal
Protection
Laws Cited
This week is being observed
as "Be Kind to Animals" Week
and the Cherokee-Clay
Humane Society, Inc. reminds
that there are a number of laws
in North Carolina against
cruelty to animals.
A chapter spokesman said
reports have been made to the
society of dogs being badly
mistreated at Peach tree and
also in the Bealtown section.
He pointed out that state
laws make it a misdemeanor,
punishable by a fine of not
more than $50 or jail term of
not more than 30 days, to
cruelly beat, torture, torment,
overload or deprive of
necessary sustenance any
useful beast, fowl or animal.
State laws also forbid
bearbaiting, cockfighting and
similar amusements and
prohibit the transportation of
animals in any cruel or
inhuman manner.
Cancer Clinic
The cancer detection clinic
for Cherokee, Clay and
Graham counties will be held
at the Murphy Health
Department on Friday at 1 p.
m. Call the Health Department
for an appointment.
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increase of approximately $28
million, the state $33 million,
and the federal government
$117 million.
Under a state administered
program the counties would
save approximately $82.8
million during the next
biennium if the total budget
request is approved by the
General Assembly.
Major items that are causing
the increase are the rising
number of recipients and
increased medical assistance
costs.
State Bear Population Threatened
RAUEGH - The black bear
is in trouble in North Carolina
if recent hunting reports prove
accurate.
The next few years may be
critical, and the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission
is currently conducting a
four-pronged study to
determine ways in which the
bear can be saved.
"The bear should be saved
because he is not only a superb
big game animal for hunters,
but also because of the part
played by the bear in our
wilderness, and for observation
by future generations," said
Division of Game Chief Frank
Barick.
The mo6t important Finding
by the commission is that most
of the bear population in the
state may be under the
breeding age.
"If these studies are correct,
it could mean that most of our
bears are being killed before
they reach the breeding age,"
said Barick. "Bears have little
breeding success before the age
of three and a half years old,
and tooth studies indicate that
most of the bears killed last
season were three years old or
younger."
"Each year for the past few
seasons, there has been a
significant drop in the bear
kill," said Barick. "This is
further indication of the
rapidly swindling population."
Because of the crisis in the
bear population in the state,
the current restrictions on the
hunting of bear are not being
recommended for change. The
proposed regulations for bear
and other 1970-1971
hunting and trapping
regulations-go before the
public in a series of public
hearings in May.
The first part of the study
being conducted by the
Wildlife Commission consists
of an investigation of the some
29 captive bears in North
Carolina to collect information
about feeding habits, growth
rates, hibernation and the
breeding and care of young.
The commission is also
carrying out an intenave search
to locate all habitable bear
range in the state and to
determine which areas now
have bear populations and
which do not.
Also, a study is being made
to find out how many bear
hunters there are in the state,
and to learn significant details
about their hunting.
Finally, the Wildlife
Commission is in contact with
game departments in other
states in an effort to share
information and possibly apply
proven methods of bear
management to North
Carolina.
"We admit that the outlook
is not too bright, but this study
may mark the turning point,
and with the help of the
hunters in this state, we may
be able to save the bear," said
Barick.
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