ARC clients and staff protest state budget cuts

By Brian D. Wilson Santa Paula TimesAbout a dozen staff and clients from the ARC center in Santa Paula staged a protest on 10th Street at Veterans Park Tuesday.They were part of a statewide series of demonstrations, protesting budget cuts proposed by Governor Davis. The protests took place at the same time as an Assembly subcommittee hearing on the Governor’s budget, which would cut both Medi-Cal and assisted-living programs.The California Community Advocacy Network put together the protests across the state. Carolyn Whalen, program director for ARC Ventura County said marches and rallies were set for 100 communities or more across the state in response to the massive cuts harming people with developmental and other disabilities and their families. “This rally will take a step toward organizing our people - everyone - in every community - in every legislative district in California to create a permanent, peaceful, united voice,” she said.