Differences ironed out between senior groups
There?s been a four-year agreement reached between the Rogers City Area Seniors (RCAS) and the Presque Isle County Council on Aging (PICCA), which should end years of conflict between the two groups. All the senior millage money, which was approved by voters in the general election in November, will be appropriated to PICCA, and per the agreement, PICCA will direct 10 percent of the funds to RCAS. Based on current tax figures the senior millage will raise approximately $228,000, meaning RCAS? share will be $22,800.
SEVERAL COMMISSIONERS enthusiastically embraced the deal and voted unanimously to approve the request to appropriate all the funds to PICCA.
?I think it?s great, it?s a step forward to heal the wounds that were caused, the fighting back and forth,? said commissioner Gary Nowak, who was involved in the establishing of the Rogers City Senior Center. ?I think this is going to be a good marriage.?
Commissioner Bob Schell commended RCAS board president Gary Chappell and PICCA director Barb Nagi, who attended Wednesday?s Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners meeting.
?We are very happy that you were able to reach this agreement,? said Schell. ?I know it was a lot of hair pulling and long meetings but I appreciate the effort you both put forth with this.?
Commissioner Gary Wozniak, who represents constituents in the Posen area, and was involved in early negotiations between the two groups that didn?t prove to be as fruitful, believes the deal will be beneficial for county seniors.
?I THINK IT?S going to be helpful to everybody, especially the board (commissioners), where we won?t have to intervene with them,? said Wozniak. ?I think everybody is going to be served from Presque Isle all the way to Onaway, Huron Beach and Rogers City. There should be enough money to go around.?
RCAS will use its funds to pay its loan/grant from USDA, which helped the organization construct a new kitchen at the senior center on Superior Street in downtown Rogers City. PICCA?s funds, which would have run out if the voters had not approved the millage req
PICCA HAS centers in Posen and Onaway, and serves meals in Huron Beach, Presque Isle Clubhouse and Hilltop Manor in Rogers City. Even with RCAS receiving 10 percent of the millage dollars, PICCA?s portion still equates to an increase. Nagi said PICCA would continue to expand services. One new service will be transportation opportunities during the evening hours. PICCA will be providing bus service to a Christmas program at Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers City. PICCA serves approximately 1,700 to 1,800 seniors.
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
