Dear Editor:
OK. Enough is enough. We don’t need a senior citizen center in Clarkston. We need a community center for all.
I went visiting some friends in Ohio this past weekend and got on the subject of a senior citizens center. My friend informed me that it was against the law to discriminate, and only allow certain people to have, and build a facility paid for by the community that could not be used by all. A couple of years ago, there was a city in Ohio that attempted to get taxpayers to pay for a senior citizens center. When they voted it through, there were a couple of residents that created a class action lawsuit against the city citing that they can’t make the community pay for a senior citizens center because only seniors could use it. The courts agreed. The courts unanimously agreed, saying that unless converted to a community center; you can’t make the tax payers pay for a center that only seniors can use. That’s discrimination.
I did some additional research and spoke with a couple of local lawyers and they agreed this could be a case. I am in agreement, that the community could use a community center used by all. I would even support it. A great example of a community center is in Troy. This is an awesome center with 2 gyms, meetings rooms, gaming rooms, large pool, with a lot of amenities. Everyone pays for a membership. However, it’s cheaper for seniors. I would vote for this facility.
Especially with the schools being so crunched for money right now, they are charging ridiculous prices for use of their gyms to try to re-coup some costs. No matter how you slice it, the senior citizens center has been voted down two or three times already. What makes you think it will be voted for this time?
If it does, it’s time to challenge it in the courts. Come on, everyone. It’s time to get together and make the right decision for the community. A community center is the only answer. Our children have no where to go to practice any sport. Our community has so many parks and yet we can’t use the fields or the schools? gyms without paying a crazy price, $50 an hour. That’s a whole different subject. I’m tired of all the bickering back and forth. Let’s do what’s right.
Jim Altene
Clarkston