The Price of Service Cuts: Williamsport Senior Centers Close Temporarily Because of Budget Uncertainty
July 30, 2009
Deep cuts to public services are being considered in Harrisburg as lawmakers and the Governor work to resolve the budget crisis. PBPC is tracking news reports on the potential impact of these cuts on local communities across Pennsylvania.
Today, we look at how the uncertainty of when a state budget will be passed has forced the closing of two senior centers in Williamsport.
The Williamsport Sun Gazette reported on July 30 that the Maynard Street and Messiah Senior Community Centers are closing until the budget is passed and there is time for funding to begin flowing back into the services offered by the centers. Also closing temporarily are the Carter Towers and Lock Haven Senior Community Centers in Lock Haven and the Renova Senior Community Center in Renova. Other centers in Lycoming and Clinton Counties will remain open but with reduced hours.
More information about how proposed cuts will hurt Pennsylvanians can be found at PBPC's 30 Ways in 30 Days Service Cuts Will Hurt Pennsylvanians, which examines proposed cuts to public education, college costs, hospitals, children's health care, senior services, state police patrols, and agricultural programs, among other areas. Return to the Price of Service Cuts.
Read the full article below.
2 senior centers close in city
Ashley M. Wislock
July 30, 2009
http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/530044.html?nav=5011
The Maynard Street and Messiah Senior Community Centers in Williamsport temporarily are closing, as the state budget crisis enters week five, according to Fred Shrimp, aging director for STEP Inc.
"This is a temporary measure, which has to do with the state budget," he said.
"There is the possibility of the budget impasse continuing for a long time ... as a result, we have to plan so that we can sustain for the long haul and avoid having to shut down totally."
Shrimp said with both political parties "entrenched" in Harrisburg, senior centers are receiving no funding, and after a budget is signed, funding will take time to reestablish.
"Even after the governor signs a bill, it will take at least four weeks until the local agency receives any funds," he said. "For example, if (the budget) gets settled at the end of the month, it will be September or October until we actually receive funds."
Shrimp said with these circumstances, the agency is focusing on the people who need its services the most.
"The fact that we're not receiving any money from the state means we need to reduce some of our costs, and temporarily our emphasis is on the most vulnerable seniors," he said.
However Shrimp noted the changes only are "temporary."
The Maynard Street Center, 312 Maynard St., and the Messiah Center, 324 Howard St., South Williamsport, will be closed until further notice, along with the Carter Towers and Lock Haven Senior Community Centers in Lock Haven and the Renovo Senior Community Center in Renovo.
Other area senior centers in Lycoming and Clinton counties will remain open, but for reduced hours, according to Shrimp.
Shrimp said the open senior centers - the Lincoln Senior Community Center, 2138 Lincoln St.; the Faxon Senior Community Center, 1301 Clayton Ave.; the Jersey Shore Senior Community Center, in the Tiadaghton Garden Complex; Mill Hall Senior Community Center, 9 Peale Ave.; and the George C. Meck Senior Community Center, at the East Lycoming YMCA in Muncy - will be able to serve any area senior who needs help.
"All seniors can go to any senior center. They are not restricted by geography," he said.
The centers will continue to provide transportation to area residents, and all health screenings and exercise classes will go on as scheduled, according to Shrimp.
The Meal on Wheels program, which the senior centers run, also will conduct business as usual, just from different locations, until the budget crisis is solved.
In addition to the closures of the centers, STEP temporarily has had to lay off "five or six" employees who worked at the centers. A management position that was vacant also had been put on hold "until the money starts flowing," Shrimp said.
When that time comes, STEP will be grateful, according to Shrimp.
"We'll be very happy when the budget impasse is over," he said.
