By Scott Tibbs, June 8, 2004
----Original Message Follows----
From: Scott Tibbs <tibbs1973@yahoo.com>
To: volans@bloomington.in.gov, sabbaghd@bloomington.in.gov, rollod@bloomington.in.gov, diekhofm@bloomington.in.gov, sturbauc@bloomington.in.gov, banachj@bloomington.in.gov, ruffa@bloomington.in.gov, mayert@bloomington.in.gov, gaalc@bloomington.in.gov, mayor@bloomington.in.gov
Subject: $14.3 million
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 10:24:21 -0700 (PDT)
I assume you read the headline in the June 7 Herald-Times regarding not-for-profit agencies and how much of their budget goes to administrative costs. I could not help but notice that Planned Parenthood's total expenses last year was $14,321,367.00
The Social Services Funding Committee agreed to give Planned Parenthood its $2900 request. The final bill goes before you on June 16th. I encourage you to think about these numbers and remove Planned Parenthood from the list of agencies that you will give money to.
I have made the point in previous letters to you that Planned Parenthood's national organization has more than enough money to fund the local branch without going to the taxpayers of Bloomington for a handout. It should be clear that Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana does not need the $2900 they are requesting from you.
Planned Parenthood's medical director made $338,244 last year. That is a weekly salary of $6504.69, over twice what Planned Parenthood is requesting from you. Could Planned Parenthood trim this high salary to find the money they "need" for their funding request?
It should be clear by now, given Planned Parenthood's large budget, that they do not need a token grant from the City Council. They are instead seeking a political endorsement from city government.
But while the $2900 they are seeking this year is small compared to their overall budget, it is very significant to taxpayers who oppose Planned Parenthood's agenda and their practices. You have had many people come before you over the last four years imploring you not to give taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood, which is a very controversial organization. Many in the community believe Planned Parenthood is an evil organization because of their status as the nation's #1 abortion provider and because of their operation of an abortion clinic in downtown Bloomington.
Yet the City Council has voted, year after year, to give a taxpayer subsidy to Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately for pro-life taxpayers, they lost a courageous ally when Jeffrey Willsey resigned from the City Council last year.
To us, it is significant that city government has given our tax dollars, even in small quantities, to an organization we oppose.
Giving taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood will once again divide this community and make citizens more cynical about city government and the political process. On June 16th, you have a choice. You can continue the politics of divisiveness, or you can chart a new course of respect for the convictions of your constituents. Unfortunately, We all know what path you will choose.
