Copyright Salt Lake Tribune
Recently, unbeknownst to the general public, the majority in the Salt Lake County Council voted to close the Tenth East Senior Center. Just like the daycare issue, this came as a surprise. What was not done: no presentation of data addressing the impact and need of the vulnerable population that is served. No data regarding the impact in the assumed facility to serve the displaced individuals. No congregate data presented on the impact of all county senior centers with the impact of some closures. No data pertaining to the impact as to the health and well-being of one of most vulnerable populations with this closure. No public notice ahead of this decision. No citizen input ahead of this decision. No presentation as to how loneliness and isolation impact our seniors. No explanation of why throwing $3 million, so far, for renovations is worth tossing out with the garbage. Dea Theadore, as the chair, and Aimee Winder Newton, as the senior advisor to Gov. Cox and director of the Office of Families, you are showing such disrespect to a population who desperately need, not only our respect, but our commitment to assisting them to remain as independent and functional as possible. I call for an open, public dialog regarding senior centers. Charlotte Kuhn, Sandy
