Letter to Editor

August 2 is a very important date in Muskegon County history – it is the day a senior services millage is on the ballot to provide vital local funding for aging adults.

There are almost 36,000 Muskegon County residents over the age of 60 who need access to wellness services. The older population in our county is projected to double in less than 15 years. Unfortunately, the demand for services (such as home delivered meals, affordable home care, transportation services, and physical activities) has already begun to exceed the availability of resources in the senior service sector.

On August 2, there is a ballot request for ½ mill (0.50 mills) for 8 years to fund wellness services for aging adults.

This public vote will take place in the August primary election and will cost tax payers $25 per year on a home with a market value of $100,000 (taxable value about $50,000), or just 6 cents a day.

Historically, there have been waiting lists or gaps in services for transportation, meals and home-care services.Older adults may not get all of the services they need. A senior millage can help provide these important services to even more people, eliminate waiting lists, and offer more programs to other older adults throughout the county. Wellness programs, home care services, transportation, meals – these are just a few examples of what a local senior services millage could fund.

As volunteer members of the Muskegon County Senior Wellness Committee, we hope you share our belief that all seniors have a right to affordable support services and activities. Already 72 of the 83 counties in the state of Michigan have senior services millage. Muskegon County needs to join this list of progressive communities that support their senior population’s current needs, and prepare for the growing aging adult population. For more information on this important issue, please visit our website, www.muskegoncountyseniormillage.com, or Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Muskegon County Senior Wellness Committee – Gloria Gardner and Nancy McCarthy, co-chairs; Sharon Ackerman, treasurer; Bob Carter, Kris Collee, Pam Curtis, Shawn Lazarock, Kathy Moore, Janet Perreault, Caroline Shircliff, Diane Smith, Heather Smith and Lisa Tyler