Whether you have lived in Benton County for a year or a generation, you know what a special place this is. Our quality of life has long been a source of community pride, and justifiably so: Benton County has historically ranked among the top five counties in the state on many of the traits tracked by the Oregon Progress Board.

But the quality of life we enjoy here is in jeopardy. The county's ability to assure public safety and provide for our health is nowhere close to what it was in years past. That's because for far too many years, balancing the county budget has meant spending reserves, cutting programs and eliminating the jobs of those who protect us and those who help keep our community well - 23 of them in the last budget cycle alone.

The result can be seen in the 2007 Oregon Progress Board report. Our county did worse in 15

of the 42 measures, including an increase in our overall crime rate, increased property crimes rate, increased juvenile arrest rate, increased behavioral crimes rate, decreased immunization rate and an increased infant mortality rate.

It's sad, but not surprising, when you consider that our district attorney's office now ranks last in the state in prosecutors-to-population. Each deputy DA is handling more than 500 cases a year, one of the highest caseloads in the state. The DA was forced to decline to prosecute more than 500 cases last year - three times the number declined in 1999.

Since 2000, the sheriff's office has lost 15 deputy positions. Round-the-clock patrols have been eliminated. A strong investigative force of six detectives is down to just one. And the three school resource deputies and one crime prevention deputy who used to work with students to reduce substance abuse and curtail juvenile crime are no more.

Drug Treatment Court has proven to be one of the most effective means of dealing with criminal addicts. It costs $9 a day versus $150 a day for jail. It helps addicts beat their habit and get their lives together. But the special funding for this successful program lasts just one more year.

Our County Health Department lost $700,000 and cut nine positions in the last budget. Among the hardest hit programs were those with long-term consequences, such as high-risk mother/

child health care nursing, early intervention for children at risk of abuse or substance dependency and infectious disease outbreak prevention.

The situation is bad, and it will surely get worse, unless we citizens step up now. That's why our volunteer group, Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Benton County, urges you to vote yes for Measure 02-64.

The measure also would provide rental of 40 jail beds outside Benton County to hold additional inmates because of our jail's small capacity. (The current five-year levy to pay for those beds expires next year.)

The measure restores or continues funding for:

• Seven sheriff's deputies to resume 24/7 patrol and school resource program duties;

• Two prosecutors focused on street crimes and child abuse;

• The successful Drug Treatment Court for juveniles and adults;

• Juvenile counseling and outreach;

• Additional capacity for juvenile detention;

• Prevention of infectious disease outbreaks

• Services for mental health, addiction treatment and children's health services.

Help make Benton County safer and healthier for you, your loved ones, and all of us who live, work, play and love it here.

Vote yes on Measure 02-64.

Julie Manning has lived in Corvallis since 1985. She is the chairwoman of the Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Benton County.