Class of 2005 Critical Issues

Leadership Cattaraugus Class of 2005
Cattaraugus County Critical Issues

• Increase in property tax, fees, etc.
• From industrial to service-based economy (decreasing wages)
• Lack of leadership in city, county, etc. government
• Loss of manufacturing jobs
• Lack of quality job opportunities
• Health professional (dental, mental, primary) shortage
• Lack of transportation – no access to services
• Outsourcing
• Lack of jobs with self-sufficient wages
• Aging infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.)
• Financial strain by Medicaid
• High medical insurance premiums and reimbursements to health care providers are going down
• Lack of jobs promoting social deterioration
• Failing human services safety net
• Aging of the population demographic
• Declining high school graduation rates
• No good retirement community
• More needs based population
• Rural county penalized by state for being rural
• State mandates that hurt our rural county
• Government / municipalities provide services they should no longer provide (healthcare, etc.)
• Lack of cultural diversity
• Housing stock becoming aged – lack of new and/or affordable housing
• Problems with educational system
• Lack of awareness of county’s positives
• Lack of quality, affordable child care
• Lack of growth
• Lack of awareness of local companies
• Lack of volunteerism
• Outdates / unavailable technology
• Homelessness is increasing
• Rising energy costs
• Increasing crime rates
• Lack of transitional services
• Environmental contamination costs
• Teen pregnancy