Citizens 4 the Senior Center

Hello Everyone,

        Like many of you I received the above letter from the Middletown Senior Center a few days ago. I have spent a lot of time thinking about it. Whereas, I would be against some levies from the city in this type of economy and under present circumstances, I cannot in good conscience oppose the levy for the Senior Center.

          Look at the second paragraph and read all of the good, important and  practical work they have done and are doing for seniors. Its a lot of work and they do it with great cost effectiveness. They are addressing vital needs of Seniors. How can we not support such efforts?

           Look at paragraph number three and see some of the very serious reasons for continued support  of the Center.

            If you really want to help a good cause please consider what I'm about to suggest.

             1.   Please make a contribution as requested. Get any businesses you can to make a contribution.
             2.  Please enroll as a member and use the services. Membership is $40.00 a year. The best
                   bargain you can get today anywhere.
             3.  Eat and enjoy your meals there. Lunch for members is $3 and most dinners run $5 - $5.95. 
                   Where else can you get that ?
             4.  Look around the house and find something you can sell for $10.00 and give that to the Center.
                   Get everyone you know to do the same. You'll never miss it.
             5. Every time you get any extra change why not contribute it to the Center for them to cut down that
                    brutal mortgage which threatens the very existence of the Center.
              6. Call and write your city council and ask them to find a real way in which they can make a
                    specific contribution that will encourage Mike Scorti, Michael Bailey and Richard Isroff, the
                     Co-Chairs of the Board, who have taken on this hard and hugh assigment.

          Remember, you don't have to be a Senior to help on this. I'm always thankful for the young folks I
see  at the nursing homes volunteering their time, energy and money for the elderly and their loved  ones.

           Personally, I want to ask you to consider this deeply and support the Seniors. I'm asking you the best way I know how but if you want me to plead and beg I will even do that. Times are hard and this important cause is on dangerous ground. Support Ann Munafo and the Center now !

        Thank you for your consideration and support.

         Paul Nagy
        

Mr. Nagy,

Stanky wrote: I have spoken to employees of the center who have stated that many of the current members already complain about the $40/year fee. That's right. They think it's already too much! Can you believe this? So good luck getting that raised to $120. Another instance of a generation that is used to taking all they can get. Good luck to our children and grandchildren because the Baby Boomers and the over 65 crowd want to live it up while not paying the piper.

Stanky wrote: I have spoken to employees of the center who have stated that many of the current members already complain about the $40/year fee. That's right. They think it's already too much! Can you believe this? So good luck getting that raised to $120. Another instance of a generation that is used to taking all they can get. Good luck to our children and grandchildren because the Baby Boomers and the over 65 crowd want to live it up while not paying the piper.

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Now wait a minute Stanky! Some of us Baby Boomers have been working a long time. I'll have "paid the piper" for 51 years in 6 years. Been paying all that time (as everyone who works does) into some type of fund to help others. (United Way- paying SS to take care of the retired folks) We're not all greedy. "Taking all they can get".... I can't take all I can get because I really need the help for in-home care from Medicare and can't receive a dime nor the help. Make too much and too many assets to qualify....so they say. Hell, I'm up in the Warren Buffet/Billy Gates category according to Medicare. Not all of us receive handouts. I'm not exactly "living it up" nowadays either. I've paid my fair share over time. Shouldn't those who do get something in return? Would you like to benefit from all you have contributed over the years? Who wouldn't, right?

If the levy fails it won't be for selfish reasons. A lot of the younger generation is living pay check to pay check including my self. We do want to be able to help people out. But all these tax levies, rising food/gas/utility prices keep adding up.

The main problem is every single government agency always turns to some type of taxes to fund everything. They could just as easily get funding from the private sector through sponsorship, and other means. In fact in Cleveland they funded a road project, by hosting a fund raising race for a bridge project.

I would have to see how much the levy will raise my mortgage escrow payment to determine if I can afford to pay for the levy or not.

The one levy I would vote for is the street improvement levy, I think with in 5 years my street will be nothing but gravel. In fact when I sweep the grass clippings from the curb, I get more pavement pebbles then clippings.I think the road improvement levy would pay for itself, in car maintenance due to busted tires, and alignments.

Neil Barille wrote: ktf, I'm not sure fundraising can realistically raise the kind of funds needed.  No amount of bake sales and 5K races can fund what is needed here.  My problem with this levy is that it is needed to pay for a monstrous building/land purchase that they could never afford.  The former director who pushed for this building is no longer there.  The fault lies with the board for not asking more questions on this whole deal.   I agree with you on a street levy.  I would sign up for that but I believe something like that was tried several years back and failed miserably.

Neil/ktf, the street improvement fund was removed from the city budget in the mid 80's. It was voted on by the people and they approved the removal of the money from the street repair based on the city telling the people the funds were needed elsewhere. The funds were never returned back to the street fund. Also, the gas tax is, by law, suppose to pay for street repair. To date, there is no evidence the city has used this money for that purpose. Currently, there is an indication that there is no money in the city budget for road repair. The only repair we all see comes from the feds (I think). Someone please correct this if this is not accurate.

If I am reading the above post by Mr Nagy correctly, the Senior Center has membership of approximately 1200 members that use the available services. The Senior Center website does not give an actual membership total.  I have found in my research that there are over 8000 citizens living in Middletown who are 50+ yrs. If the membership is at 1200 that would mean less than a 1/4 of the 8000 the available Seniors in Middletown are using these services.  I find it curious that Lunch & Dinner is served to anyone who walks in the door as long as they pay for it.  In other words, membership is not a requirement for meals at the center.  Are meals more expensive for non-members than members? If they are the same, why? Are there other services the are available to non-members? I find it hard to believe that the transit program is only utilized by 500 seniors in a town that has over 12000 senior citizens in it and that only approximately 250 senior citizen use the in home care service.

Notice what is not being said: that the Senior Center needs this levy to stay in operation. I say let them default on their mortgage and then they'll find another home with a kitchen somewhere else. Virtually all of their funding is from government money anyway, so they can continue service from another location. Hey, how about opening up the Manchester Inn kitchen for their meals on wheels? And with plenty of hotel rooms, maybe the "vision" of senior apartment living can be realized after all.

ktf1179, whether it's $2 or $20 a month, the point is that the organization bought a McMansion they couldn't afford.  Why should we all bail them out?

Everyone spent beyond their means back in the 2000's. That was just the mindset of that time period.

I do agree that in theory they don't deserve to be bailed out because of the excesses. However I feel that point changes when you have people needing and depending on these services to get by.

The truth is, these services are needed because of the aging baby boomer generation. I would rather keep a senior center open and running over any wasteful school levy, that usually ends up paying for Administration and teacher salaries, and luxurious buildings and hi-tech equipment that is not needed to educate children.

Besides we will all be seniors citizens one day, and we might need those very services that you want to shut down.

Nagy, ktf1179:

Neil,
       You have put this in proper perspective for me. "There are surely other options." I appreciate it. One thing I have never been able to stand is for someone to call me stupid and them be right about it. I think you are right about this. I was thinking emotionally.
        One objection. I don't think that all the past rantings from Nagy can be thrown out. We needed them In the past because you and others didn't do much ranting. I'm glad you are now. You have good and important insight and I for one won't throw out this ranting on your part because it is a valuable ranting in the discussion of an issue. Why do people insist on getting personal in a discussion instead of sticking to the subject?
         Thanks for your post.
             pn