Wednesday, May 1, 2002
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Wednesday, May 1, 2002 |
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Senior center board of directors has continually studied seniors' needs In response to Ms. Fran Plunkett [Letters, April 10], "Who are we trying to serve and what do they desire?" The who is very simple those persons 60 years of age and over. What do they desire? Kennesaw State University, A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service, June 1994, did a report Fayette Senior Services Needs Assessment covering 18 different services. A follow-up to the report involved State University of West Georgia Assistant Professor Rebecca Stanard, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Linda Painter, conducted in September 1997. [It] indicated the Burruss Institute report was still reasonably accurate. FSS has responded to each of these as community resources and its own resources allow. In the top three services for age 18 to 54 and age 55 plus said to be very important was the need for a Senior Citizens' Center. The board of directors established criteria for a new center in August 1992. Board members have come and gone but the criteria and the need still exist. Board committees have reviewed facilities in several adjoining counties, have investigated vacant buildings in Fayette County and discuss options with corporate level individuals. Some of the reviews done included the old Wal-Mart building in Fayetteville, the A & T building in Fayetteville, the "Fowler House," the old Fayette County Library, the old Fayette County High School, D Building and Commons, acquiring property in different locations and using with the Fayette YMCA, their facilities. We do not just come to meetings and sit idly by. Taxpayers are represented in Fayette Senior Services efforts by Fayette County government contributing $25,000 a year for nine years to the capital project fund. The Fayette County Board of Commissioners approved three acres of land for the new multipurpose senior center valued at $165,000. State Senator Greg Hecht and the Fayette County Republican delegation provided from the state of Georgia Fiscal Year 2002 appropriations $50,000 for the new senior center. Thanks to all of you who see the value in supporting Fayette Senior Services Programs and capital initiative by giving at this writing $1,270,768, including the $110,698 the board of directors raised in 30 days. We need your continued support and trust. Richard "Dick" Pearson President, Board of Directors Fayette Senior Services Fayetteville
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