What do seniors really need?
By Gwen Johnson
As a 36-year-old, I do not feel like I have the authority to speak on behalf of senior citizens. However, I do respect my elders, enjoy their company and appreciate all the volunteer work they do for the numerous organizations throughout the county.
Now that District 5 heads into a runoff election for the Supervisor seat between Mary Ellen “Mel” Welsh and Brian Oneto, I am interested in what the two candidates plan to do about senior services.
Welsh wants to bolster current senior services. Oneto wants to implement an ombudsman program. I would like to hear from the seniors themselves which plan they prefer.
As it stands now, I fully support Welsh’s plans to:
- Coordinate and integrate county services with community agencies and volunteer organizations.
- Provide support for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, which helps seniors stay in their homes, and support reasonable compensation for IHSS workers.
- Involve seniors and child advocates in policy discussions to ensure that these groups’ needs are taken into account.
- Support the Upcountry and Camanche Lake Community Centers, which provide programs and services to people of all ages.
- Establish youth centers to provide programs, services, and social opportunities for young people.
- Ensure that housing is available for people of all ages and income groups in our community.
- Advocate for funding for senior and children’s services at the state level.
(this information was taken directly from Welsh’s Web site at www.melwelsh.com)
Can anyone see anything wrong with that plan of action?
Here’s what I don’t understand about the ombudsman program:
- Is access to senior services really as bad as Oneto says they are? If so, why don’t we correct the problem instead of adding another bureaucrat to the payroll?
- Would this be a full-time position? If so, is there enough demand to keep this position busy 40 hours a week?
- Will this be a union position? I can’t imagine Oneto going for that!
- Oneto is willing to give up his first year’s net salary to set up the program but how is he planning on paying for it in subsequent years?
- Did he do a feasibility study to see if this will even work?
I e-mailed these questions directly to Oneto but have not yet received a response. If anyone else knows the answers, please let me know.