Seniors: So ... where’s the gold at the end of our rainbow?
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By DENE NICHOLS
For the News & Messenger
Published: November 20, 2008
The way I understand it, and correct me if I am wrong, in these difficult economic times, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors has been presented a "what if" list, which would severely reduce funding of the Prince William County Senior Centers. I guess the county thinks that seniors don't merit consideration. I, for one, don't think it is fair. I have lived and paid taxes in Prince William County for 36 years and am now a full-fledged senior who after June 30, 2009, may not have any place to go to meet with my peers either educationally or socially.
Should this reduction be approved by the board in April, there will be greatly limited congregate lunches. In the case of Meals on Wheels, they will continue, but there will be no weekend, holiday or emergency meals already prepared. The weekend/holiday meals will be frozen and may result in unsafe preparation by those in receipt. The Senior Centers may still be there but the services will be severely reduced. Such things as a reduction in open hours, transportation and congregate meals as well as staff are on the list of a proposed 33 percent cutback in expenditures. All of this depends on the amount of shortage by the end of the third quarter of the county budget year.
Many seniors depend on their Senior Centers to provide their only avenue of recreation, socialization, health and wellness education, technical and safety education and or/entertainment. Doesn't sound non-essential to me! Reduction of hours and services would preclude the availability of these vital senior activities and may contribute to the isolation and depression of some seniors. Reduction of staff would seriously weaken the quality of services needed to fulfill these currently ongoing senior center programs.
The Senior Centers are my home away from home. Both my husband and I have diligently worked as volunteers to improve and expand services. We don't mind and, as a matter of fact, enjoy doing the volunteer work as long as the county supervisors maintain their share of support. But, it looks like they may reduce open hours as well as the staff as a part of their cutback. The Senior Centers are already understaffed and there is only so much that volun-teers can do without jeopardizing the safety and welfare of members. We must have the professional expertise behind us to lead us.
Seniors, we must unite to stop these proposed budget cuts before it becomes a consideration in the April 2009 Board of Supervisors budgetary meetings.
I strongly urge everyone, whether or not you are a senior or a family caregiver, to give this some thought. What will this action do to you now or in the future? This is not just a short-term senior issue, it involves the whole community. I recommend that you either prepare your own petition/ letter for presentation to your supervisor imploring him/ her to find other means to satisfy budgetary limitations or you can contact me to have your name included on our petition.
I think we have to make every effort that is humanly possible to encourage continued County financial support of services and staff for the Prince William Senior Centers on a five-day basis to include transportation for those seniors who are unable to provide their own method of travel and, further to provide cooked meals that are edible when delivered to those seniors who are no longer able and cannot safely prepare their own food.
As older Americans, we have served our country well. Don't we deserve some respect during our golden years?
Send questions, comments and column ideas to Dene Nichols at .
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Posted by ( Elizabeth ) on November 22, 2008 at 12:39 am
Dr Who(please pick another pseudonym to spare the British TV star shame), the important fact is that many seniors rely on meals (communal and On Wheels)to survive. Less educated or less fortunate workers receive less or no social security.
Widows who worked only at home are dependent on what their husbands paid into social security. They may need help with food. Many put a happy face on “socializing” with others, but they need the free food provided. The socialization is the purpose for some. The socialization is the socially acceptable rationale for some who need the food. Americans can look down on people who need food. Poor elderly don’t want their need for food known publically. See your letter for proof.
The folks in question here are NOT workers shirking work. If they were able to work and get more money they would.
I live among retirees and the elderly poor. All who used to work regret their current inability to work. All who never worked are too ill to work or have no marketable skills.
Is it appropriate for our “advanced” society to allow the poor to starve and/or die of bad health related to inadequate nutrition?
I believe many Christians in PWC will follow God’s Word. Don’t take my word; take the word from the NIV translation of the Holy Bible.
Dt 15:11 commands us to be openhanded toward our brothers and toward the poor and needy in our land. Also see verses 4-10.
Dt 23:22 tells us to leave enough in our fields as we harvest for the poor.
Pr 14:31 specifies that he who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever “is kind to the needy honors God”.
Mt 6:3-4 “But when you give to the needy. . . . your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“ Check out the rest of the Beatitudes for further guidance. Some of our leaders need to remember that God the Father sees what is done in secret!
John 14:23 “. . .if anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.“ direct quote from Jesus
Remember, in America we know that a person is judged NOT by words, but by deeds. So who is Christian by deeds, who will obey God’s law about the poor by deeds?
Relevant for today, check out the only time Jesus showed violence and what were they doing in His Father’s House that angered Jesus?
Elizabeth
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Posted by ( drwho ) on November 21, 2008 at 7:58 am
First let me say I retired almost four years and I am an old guy. I have high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis but I take care of myself. When I have had problems my family has stepped up given and given me a push in the right direction.
I just do not see that it is the responsibility of the local, State or Federal Government to entertain me, introduce me to others or to feed me meals.
The problem with the government is it has gotten away from the basics and there are far too many special causes standing in line with their hands out. The government should be there to provide basic services such as Fire, Police and Roads not entertainment or introduction services.
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