SOUNDING OFFIt’s time to take care of the seniors

On July 3, the Huntington Beach City Council had a spirited discussion about using a small piece of Central Park for a multi-generational senior center. (Multi-generational senior center means for people ages 55 to 105). Ultimately they decided to place it on the November ballot to let the people decide, the only fiscally responsible decision they could make.

While I applaud their decision, I’m fearful the ultimate loser in this process could be the seniors.

As with most issues, there were some spirited speakers, many of whom stated they were for a senior center but not at this location. No one took issue with the extensive selection criteria the consultants used, or the various sites that were in the mix, but they still expressed their displeasure with the area ultimately selected. They acted like there were endless opportunities and unlimited money. One speaker even suggested the city buy the 31-acre Pacific City development.

Whether you agreed with a speakers’ position or not, the passion with which they spoke was wonderful to see. The slogan “Save it don’t pave it” ultimately was broken down to “Save a place for small birds, forget the seniors” or “Don’t spend $5,000 now to find out what the public wants, spend $2 million and then ask them later.”

The fact is we are living longer and longer. Our friends and, unfortunately in some cases, our families will die before us. A senior center offers individuals an opportunity to connect with a new mix of people. It gives a person a means to escape the imprisonment of loneliness. It may be hard to imagine loneliness now, but try ? try hard. It is not a wonderful place, especially when it can be avoided.

I implore everyone to remember the seniors in their plans. Don’t make the seniors the losers in the discussion. If you don’t like the proposed site, find another but research it, rate it with the criteria used by the selection firm. If you can’t find another justifiable site, get off the sanctimonious parade to save foraging area for a bird, that I’m sure doesn’t live solely from this five acres, and don’t try to say that this five acres is the lynch pin for the Bolsa Chica.

Take care of the seniors. You might be rich enough that you don’t feel you will ever use the senior center. Well good for you. However, many people won’t be so lucky.

I realize that difficult decisions need to be made, but the end goal must be to get the seniors an up-to-date facility. Become part of the solution, not the problem.