HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSminutes 0692011West University Senior Services Board Meeting June 9, 2011
Present: Stan McCandless (Chairman), John Neighbors, Lyndon McKnight, Virginia Lootens, Celia
Chipman, George Baker, Jo Lukens, Mary Ryerson, Mary Lee Gray, Selby Clark, Janet Vrancken, Pieter
Vrancken. Absent: Barbara Marvin. Staff: Tim O'Connor, Toby Brooks. Guests: Mayor Bob Fry,
Councilwoman Joan Johnson, Sarah Waisanen (Instant News), Mary Woodard. The Meeting was called to
order at 2:04PM. The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented.
Council (Mayor Bob Fry) It is the intention of the new council to appoint Joan Johnson as
representative to the Senior Services Board. The Chairman congratulated Mayor Fry and Councilwoman
Joan Johnson on their election victories and welcomed Joan Johnson as the future Council representative.
Good Neighbor (Mary Lee Gray) Planning of deliveries of the care pack for July 4 will take place in the
present room of the Community Center at LOAM on Wednesday June 22nd
PARD (Tim O'Connor) An Arts sub-committee has been formed to be chaired by Lester Marks (Board
Member of the Fine Arts Council and of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston) and to include Pablo Fabio
(visiting academic from the University of Argentina), Kim Wilson of KRW Designs, Pei Hong and Chris
Bridge (current leader of the SS water color class). It is intended that 5 art shows per year will be
organized between October and March in the 2nd Floor lobby of the Recreation Center. The sub-
committee will have an initial budget of $3,000 to cover promotion and reception expenses.
Activities (Toby Brooks) Defensive driving continues to attract support. The Hawaiian Luau was well
attended. Water Color Class and Bridge remain popular. Thursday is Game Day and provides an
opportunity for children to volunteer. On Saturday 6/11 a four hour seminar on stroke prevention and the
care of stroke victims will be held in the main auditorium starting at LOAM. In September a seminar on
fall prevention will be held. The Fraud & Abuse seminar was well attended as was the talk from a
representative of Barton House on Alzheimer's. On Monday 6/13 an excursion to a Blueberry picking farm
will set out at 7:30AM. On Tuesday 6/14 there will be a shopping expedition to the Meyerland Walmart.
APAC (Selby Clark) The principal topic at the meeting was the reduction in the State Budget, 56% of
which is devoted to education. Texas has 28 branches of APAC of which Houston is the largest. Care will
be affected by the budget constraints: a maximum of 6 hrs per week will be funded for personal care and
4 hrs per week for home-maker care compared with the current 2 to 16 hrs. Re-education of existing
staff presents a challenge. Meals will be covered this year. Reliant's "Beat the Heat" program will continue
to cut rates to Community Centers. At times of great heat the utility will provide an air-conditioned locale
and perhaps a meal. There are 700 seniors on the waiting list for dental treatment. $15,000 are needed
to fund the Thanksgiving meal program: art shows are being organized to help raise funds. A matching
gift of $2,500 has been offered if the $15,000 target is reached. APAC meetings take place once a month
on the first Thursday of the month and last between 1 and 3 hours but typically 11/2 hours. These are a
county function and a useful source of information but only Pasadena, Deer Park and our own community
attend. Selby cannot guarantee to be available for every meeting. George Baker and Virginia Lootens
undertook to provide cover.
Old and New Business (Toby Brooks) The new doors for the Community center are not here yet. The
tables are coming and the screen will arrive on Monday 6/13. The blinds have arrived and have been
installed. Starting in September programs lasting 6 weeks will be offered in meditation, line dancing and
tai chi. The instructors have been secured. The Open House to present the new facilities has had to be
rescheduled.
There will be no meetings of the Board in July and August.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45PM