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City council does care about seniors
I appreciated Mr. Nutter's letter published a couple of weeks ago supporting the Senior Center, but at the same time, was surprised at the chastising the city council received.
I first feel the need to thank you George, for noticing the improvements that we've made in our community recently.
Yes, the new commercial development is definitely paying off. We recognize that the sales taxes we've received lately due to growth is quite temporary, so we're trying to sensibly invest it back into our community's infrastructure and property. Unlike the majority of cities in our country, we're blessed in that our city is doing this well during such a struggling economy. We don't know when the next time will be when we can afford to repair roads that need repaired, put in sidewalks, update police cars, upsize our library, repair and improve our parks äand yes, fulfilling a promise to our community's tennis players.†(I was not aware until recently that the city committed to build new courts to replace ones removed from East Park — sorry it took so long).
You also talked as if helping our kids is a bad thing. Yes, we pitched in on the senior party because it keeps kids from going out and partying, breaking laws and being killed. If I remember correctly, these funds were the results of seizures set aside for drug prevention. What better way to use seized funds? Regarding CTC, the City provides support to Communities That Care, which has proven to have reduced alcohol consumption by minors in our community, encourages kids to be law-abiding citizens, plus other benefits ... which in turn is a benefit to you and me by having fewer problems with graffiti, gang violence, etc.
Back to thanking you ... I especially appreciate the credit you gave to our senior citizens and their history here, along with identifying the Senior Center and its struggles. What confuses me though is the way you reprimanded your neighbors and friends who serve on the council and port commission before you had the whole story. Especially seeing that you served in the same capacity for so many years, you should know that just because it's not in the paper, it doesn't mean we're not working on it. Having as much respect as I do for you, I for one was very disappointed. Seeing that you chose to communicate to us by means of a letter to the editor, I feel my response regarding your assumptions warrants the same means of communication, so the public can also be updated. I can't speak for the rest of council, but I can speak firsthand regarding the Senior Center and my personal efforts.
Shortly after hearing that the Senior Center was having difficulties, I approached them to find out more details. Since then, I've addressed this with two of our local service clubs, noted it during a council meeting and met with the Mayor about it the week before your letter was published. Also the week before your letter was published, I requested from Senior Center personnel that they attend our next city council meeting and put in a request for additional funding so we can officially move forward on this. Not only was the Senior Center on the last council meeting agenda, but representatives were there, as hoped, to fill us in on their needs. Now that we're better informed, the council will be addressing this at our next meeting. The results may or may not be granting them the $3,000 a month that they requested, but I know we will help where we can. Personally, I would rather give them some of their requested increase and then use some of our current sales taxes to help improve their facility (If we legally can — seeing it's only ours as long as stipulations are being met) ... so current seniors can benefit rather than the Center trying to save for years to do it on their own.
We do have great respect for our senior citizens and I'm not sure why you would suspect that we don't. Just because we're on the council doesn't mean we stop caring for our neighbors. Remember why you became a councilman? I believe we all still serve for the same reason that you did. Because we want to help. As you know, the city has paid for the maintenance and upkeep on the Center for many years now and I'm confident that we will do what it takes to ensure that they will continue to have a place to meet for many years to come. So, please don't suspect that we will "wring our hands" on this one. As far as the city van goes, just come talk to one of us who knows the background on it and we'll be glad to fill you in.
I hope after all of this, there are positives that come from writing this letter. First, to promote the need to support our Senior Center both financially and through increased membership, and second, to let citizens know that your city council is here to listen to your concerns (and act upon them if possible). And last, to let George know publically, that I'm very grateful for all he has done for our community. I know his heart is in the right place and he only wants the best for all of us.
