Dear Editor:
(In response to: ‘Township deficit soars as officials eye staff restructuring, cuts,? The Citizen, Oct. 19, page 13). To those of us who have supported the community as volunteers, customers of local business and taxpayers (some of us for our entire lives) the Edna Burton Senior Center (EBSC) is the one place we can depend on to make our ‘Golden Years? truly worthwhile. We depend on the EBSC for many things. For some of us, it is a lifesaver from depression, boredom and ill health. We depend on the EBSC for transportation to medical, dental, therapy and medical treatments. The EBSC provides many services including visiting podiatrists, opthamologists, nurses for administration of flu vaccines, blood pressure checks, information on alternative care, and specialists in senior aids (wheelchairs, back support, diabetic shoes, etc. We need to still support the schools, libraries, etc. with our taxes and as volunteers, even though it has been many years since we have had kids in school and we have our own video, music,and books in our on-site library. After our many years of support, is it too much to ask for something in return? We have many opportunities to further our education at the EBSC with painting classes, sewing, knitting, dance and music. We have many volunteers at the center to encourage the creativity and social skills of everyone. Many people don’t understand that you don’t have to be a senior to attend our programs, take part in our sports activities or just enjoy themselves at our facility.
Please reconsider the term ‘essential? as it applies to the EBSC.
Annette R. Beach, EBSC Coordinator

(Editor’s note: Many area senior citizens expressed their opinions regarding the possible budget cuts and the Edna Burton Senior Center.)
Dear Editor:
I come in three days a week for companionship, good food, bingo, knitting, and if it wasn’t for the senior center transportation program, I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere and would be homebound. I have no other transportation and difficulty walking.
Hazel Sloan, 78
My comment about the senior center is that I get to socialize, play bingo and bunco for at least two days a week, and I would really miss that! Thank you for reading my comment.
Audrey Laatsch, 86
The senior center is essential in this community for the enhancement of our seniors. It serves as the learning center for those that have no other way of education for senior living for health and welfare. The logistics for senior education is ideal, and the service is what most of us depend on.
Phillip S. Kilgour, 69
The senior van brings me every Tuesday for bunco, I also play bingo on Wednesday. They bring me in for the board meeting once a month. We have many programs going on every week – sewing club, painting clubs, knitting and crocheting class. We play pinochle and euchre every week. We also have speakers who come and speak on different subjects such as medical care, scams, and historical happenings. The van also takes me for my dental, doctor, and eye doctor appointments. All of which I am very thankful for.
Katie Hobson, 88
I come into the center twice a week for bunco and bingo. This is my only social outlet. I don’t know what I would do without the senior van for my dental and doctor appointments. Pat or Janet pick up my medication once a month and they also pick up a lot of my groceries. They take different people every week for their kidney dialysis, three times a week. They also pick up a lot of people for their dental and doctor appointments, for which all of us are very thankful.
Marie DeRosia, 65