Prosecutors have to live within budgets, too

So we’re living in tough times, right? These days I’m getting by witha lot less than I was a year ago.

In fact, I’ve reduced my overall spending by at least 20 percent.

For me, that is a sizable cut in my budget, especially for an already-frugal person like myself.

Likewise, I expect our federal and local governments to make the necessary budget cuts, and the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office is no exception.

Recently, Prosecutor Russ Hauge made his feelings known on the subject of bel-tightening when he said, “If the county commissioners reach in and cut my budget beyond what I have suggested, it will endanger public safety.”

I have my doubts about the accuracy of that statement.

Every county department has had to make substantial budget cuts because of a large revenue shortfall (which was caused by government overspending) this year, according to Kitsap County Administrator Nancy Buonanno Grennan.

Why can’t these administrators figure out that a large part of government’s problem is that it lives beyond its means?

The prosecutor also believes that cutting his budget will “impair his ability too respond to criminal behavior” and would constitute a breach of his duties.

Our economy is a reality, so let’s face the facts and make the adjustments needed.

It’s not a breach of anyone’s duties to do the best you can with the resources at hand.

Please make the required cuts and do your job.

ROB DAUGHERTY

Olalla

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