SENIORS: Funding issues are critical

The Post Falls Senior Activities and Event Center wishes to thank EVERYONE who came out on Sept. 6 for the public hearing at the Kootenai County Commissioners meeting regarding the 2012 budget with funding cuts included. With a room filled to capacity and outside, this issue and those of the Sheriff's Department and others were very important to all that attended. Even those that spoke on other topics ended their statements with support continuing funding the Meals on Wheels program.

The PF Senior Center felt that it was important for us to form an alliance with the other centers (Worley, Hayden, Rathdrum and Post Falls) and show to the commissioners how important Meals on Wheels is to this area. When we gave those numbers and letters from the other centers, we felt that they then could have the buy-in they needed to justify the amount given to each of us. We here in Post Falls are pleased that they changed their minds and we hope to seek this each and every year in the future.

Seniors in the United States are the fastest growing generation. Within the next 15 years more than 12,000 daily will turn 60 or older and that speaks volumes of why Senior Centers are important to those who use the services we provide.

The only thing we ask is that we have more notice in the future from the commissioners when the hearings are instead of a notice on a late Friday afternoon and on a holiday weekend. The way that they did this year's notice was unacceptable but again we were able to rally the right people to attend and show support.

We here at the Post Falls Senior Activities and Events Center are here for all the people of Kootenai County and encourage you to come and see our new center and what we have to offer the great people of Kootenai County.

ALISON McARTHUR

Executive Director