1994-1995 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Alternatives: Proposals For Local Governments Struggling
With Limited Resources
Teacher: Susan Long

Niantic High School, Niantic, Illinois
1st Brian Woodward
2nd Laura Vaught
3rd Nicki Sales
"First of all we need to find out what unneeded services are being
funded. If the community does not want these services why waste the money?"
Alicia Dothager, Niantic-Harristown High School, Niantic, Illinois
"Due to the new legislation which will eliminate welfare within three
years and the opinions of the people who were interviewed, we believe that it is necessary
to train welfare recipients in job skills. This essay will prove that both welfare
recipients and jailed individuals would benefit from a job skills program. By being
trained in necessary job skills, it would be possible for these individuals to assume jobs
previously done by volunteers. Although this program might increase government spending at
the beginning, in the long range, it would reduce cost to government. When a person is
removed from the welfare rolls, or is released from jail, never to return, this reduces
expenses. A person who is earning a salary would return part of the salary to the
government in the form of taxes.
" Laura Vaught, Niantic-Harristown High School, Niantic, Illinois "