I’ve been reading the recent letters to the editor in the Delaware Gazette regarding the levy that will be voted on August 5, for the Council for Older Adults. The letters have been very well thought out and a very educated discussion.
However, with my wife and I nearly 30 years away from being eligible for the Council’s benefits we wanted to bring a different thought to the table.
Too often, our communities are defined by our schools, our historical boards, our city council, and our local volunteer organizations. But who is volunteering for these organizations? Working with the Delaware County Bicentennial, the Red Cross, and numerous other local organizations – I’ve learned it is these older adults that are keeping a vital part of community alive and well.
There have been a couple of questions that have been brought before me ever since the lawn sign went up in our yard.
Why Now? It is dictated by the state. Period. The state of Ohio doesn’t allow any funding for senior services to extend beyond five years. The last time the Council came before Delaware County for funding was 2003, add five years and you’ve got 2008. (It’s magic!)
Why the Increase? Have you heard of those aging baby boomers? Yeah, we have a few of those in Delaware County. According to the Council’s levy Web site, the number of people receiving their services has increased by 234% in the past nine years. And they project it will go up another 54 percent before the end of the proposed levy. One of the things that makes our Council one of the top in the state is that there is no waiting list for services. It is the excellent planning of Bob Horrocks and his staff at the Council that has allowed for this to happen. Why the increase? Because the Council needs it to satisfy the seniors in Delaware County. In the council’s words:
Our local older population is growing very rapidly and this growth is expected to continue for some time. The bulk of levy funding is used to provide in-home care and as our population ages this need will increase. Additional funding is needed to help avoid placing local older adults in need of in-home care on waiting lists. A couple of our largest expenses are for food and transportation and both of these costs have increased much more rapidly than inflation, in general.
Why should I pay for another county building? Many Delawarians are upset about the Hall’s Building, but this levy has nothing to do with the Council’s new building. A very small amount of the funding goes to the buildings operations, the majority of it is used for in-home and other senior service options for the community.
Sounds Good, but I’ll be Gone August 5. Sorry, no excuse anymore. Request an absentee ballot from the Delaware County Board of Elections.
Have more questions? Visit Save Senior Services Web site by the Council for Older Adults.
Get out and vote on August 5! Two key items are on the ballot in the city.
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