Chairs to be purchased for county senior centers
Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc. met Nov. 19 at Peabody Senior Center.
No mill levy requests were presented. Noreen Weems, director of Marion County Department for Elderly, presented a budget report as of Oct. 31. A cash balance of $20,128 was noted. After two months of expenses, a balance of approximately $11,000 was anticipated.
In other business:
— Thirty-six padded folding chairs will be purchased for each of the four senior centers/nutrition sites, and 24 for the Florence Senior Center. A total of 168 chairs at an average cost of $30-$32 per chair will cost $5,040 to $5,376. Funds from the Flint Hills Foundation totaling $935 could be used. Ramona and Lincolnville senior centers received chairs from the Marion SRS office when it closed. Near the end of the 2005 budget year, more chairs could be purchased for other senior centers, Weems said.
— Patti Robinson, American Red Cross representative from McPherson, reported on Project Deserve that assists Westar Energy and Atmos Energy customers with utility bills. Another program to assist with utility costs is Gift of Warmth through the Salvation Army.
— Robert Carlton of Central Home Care & Hospice, announced a tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 in Central Park, Marion.
— Gene Andersen, silver-haired legislator, reported all bills and resolutions have to be reintroduced and need sponsors since it's an election year. He gave an update of 10 bills and resolutions.
— ONE committee chairman Arlene Unruh reported the committee met Nov. 9. The next meeting will be in March at Peabody Senior Center.
— The transportation committee met Nov. 10 and reviewed and updated transportation guidelines. Weems said Kansas Department of Transportation requests all requirements and guidelines be in place by Jan. 1.
KDOT will conduct on-site reviews with all providers to verify implementation of policies.
Al Schmidt, committee chairman, will present the updated policies at the December board meeting with Marion County Commission giving final approval.
— Marion County Home Care celebrated 25 years of service with an open house Nov. 17, reported Mary Ann Conyers, a registered nurse with home care.
— Don Fruechting and Fiennes Jantz attended the Area Agency on Aging Board meeting Nov. 16 at Ellsworth. Jantz agreed to serve another year on the board.
— Gary Goozsen, field representative with North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, warned people to be aware of scams and never give personal information over the telephone.
— Virginia Downing provided information about the flu vaccine and reminded those who turn 65 in 2005 will be eligible for a free physical paid by Medicare.
— Lanell Hett, department secretary and transportation coordinator, reported 11 trips for the month of November. Two were health-related.
The next board meeting will be Dec. 17 at Marion Senior Center.
