Mallet Misses Her Mark on Human Need

In a letter to the editor of the Atlantic Highlands Herald, Freeholder Amy Mallet points out that Monmouth County's budget for its Department of Human Services was reduced 6% in the face of a 51% increase in food stamp applications in March over the previous year and a 64% increase in applicants between 2007 and 2010. She commends the department for its efforts on behalf of the people of the county, who are suffering through this poor economic climate as much as anyone in the nation.

Her letter, unfortunately, lacks a clear "So what?" She tells the members of a county department that the budget doesn't address the obvious need of thousands of people they are meant to serve but thanks them for trying their best during this difficult period? Is that it? I'm glad she brought it up -- she's clearly concerned -- but she makes neither a criticism of current policy nor a recommendation on what to do next.