HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSSB minutes 2-9-2012West University Senior Services Board Meeting Thursday February 9th 2012
Present: John Neighbors (Chair), Chuck Guffey, Mary Ryerson, Janet Vrancken, Pieter Vrancken, George
Baker, Sarah Ballanfant, Michelle Moore, Virginia Lootens, Selby Clark. Absent: Lyndon McKnight, Stan
McCandless, Joe Mitchell. Staff: Toby Brooks. Guests: Councilwoman Joan Johnson, Dick Yehle. The
Meeting was called to order at 2:03PM. The Minutes were approved with one minor change.
Activities (Toby Brooks) Evening Classes will resume next week among them Tai Chi & Line dancing.
A new Spanish language class will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30PM (Free). The
Newsletter is at the printers. A new water color class will start. A drawing class has attracted 13
participants (5 beginners). We are trying to get a walking group started. (Michelle Moore mentioned that
the GNT has an Alzheimer's patient who would like to walk at 8AM every morning. GNT is trying to get a
walking buddy to accompany him on his Colonial Park circuit (one person per day).
APAC (Virginia Lootens) The Feb 2nd meeting began with each attendee stating their name,
organization and goals for the year. AAA announced a new program to assist any nursing home resident
who is not on Medicaid to transition back home, if they wish to do so. Funds have been allotted to
participate in a mobility study to find what issues there are for seniors and to evaluate their needs.
Benefits counseling by VISTA staff for district 6 is beginning in March. This applies to all 13 nearby
counties. A "values presentation" will be made each month by the Department of Health and will center
on the core goals of service to elders. Respite care training will be provided to full time care givers who
need a break. AAA is sending two representatives who will undergo the training and then train others.
After the cut in funding for transportation, patients who had not completed their dental work received
transportation services from Sheltering Arms/Care for Elders. Senior Companions presentation covered
the work of the group that provides volunteers to sit with or visit elders in the community. In 2011 Senior
Companions served 500 clients with 51 volunteers. Sylvester Turner, State Representative, will speak at
APAC's March 1't meeting.
Council (Joan Johnson) Council have asked staff to create an Ordinance that would allow the serving
of alcohol at private functions at the Community Center, Colonial Park and the Recreation Center. Anyone
renting space at one of these locations for such a function would be required to obtain a permit and to
meet the cost of police attendance (if required). State Representative Sarah Davis commended the City of
West University Place on being ranked #1 by The Business Journal in a nationwide study of quality of life.
Good Neighbor Team (Michelle Moore) The January Meeting concerned itself essentially with the
year's budget and meeting schedule. GNT considered distributing another card in the September/October
period (halfway between July and Thanksgiving). Two new members will join the GNT with perhaps an
additional two from Toby. Agreement has been reached with Xavier Academy for designing cards and
helping with other programs among them organizing drives such as the clothes box initiative.
PARD (Toby Brooks) Board Members are kept informed through the Weekly Operations Summary
transmitted to them by e-mail. Colonial Park Pool maintenance will be completed by March P. The pool
will be drained and expansion joints re-fixed. This work is covered by warranty. Work on Buffalo
Speedway should be finished by March P
Any Other Business (George Baker) The showing of the film "Gen Silent" has raised the problem of
Gays, Lesbians, Bi-sexuals and Transgenders (GLBT). It is often difficult for seniors belonging to these
groups to access social services. APAC is fully aware of the problems. Three couples are known to live in
West U and to receive deliveries from the GNT. The Montrose Counseling Center is very active in helping
members of this group. Chris Kerr from the Center obtained the film and may come to address our Board
on the problems which seniors are encountering.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:43PM