Seniors come out in force to share feelings

Imlay City commission receives message loud and clear

 

IMLAY CITY — The sign on the wall from local fire officials said the capacity of the meeting room in city hall is 60 people. However, more than 70 guests filed into the meeting room on Sept. 16, with another dozen or so people standing in the hallway.

“This is the largest crowd I have ever seen here at a public meeting since I have been around,” Mayor Barbara Yockey told the Tri-City Times after the meeting. “I think it is great and I am so happy they came out to share their opinions with them. That’s exactly what we wanted.”

The Mayor went on to add, “there was no yelling, arguing or disrespect. I thought they all acted very civil. They spoke well with what they wanted to share and made their feelings to the commission well known. I was thrilled with the turnout.”

The purpose of the “Town Hall” style agenda item was to give citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions on the concept of possibly moving city hall operations to the Lamb Steele building and the Senior Center moving to city hall.

While most in attendance were there for moral support, a handful of seniors spoke addressing the commission, all with the same general feeling, that seniors have no intention of giving up their location.

One spoke of the Lamb Steele family will that specified the building be used in part for a senior citizen facility in return for a million dollar donation to the facility. It was also to be used as a medical services location.

53-year resident Bea Rock told the commission, “we have at least 100 signatures that all agree with keeping the senior center where it is. A move would not work for us with all of the activities we have going. This building (city hall) is too small. It would not benefit us.”

Among the activities Rock mentioned that are part of the weekly program are bingo, chair volleyball, euchre and poker games, paddle ball, exercise workouts with donated equipment, a piano room, a television room and a medical supply room housing items available to seniors such as walkers, crutches and other items.

The Lamb Steele facility offers 8,500 square feet for the senior center to meet on the upper floor portion. The Imlay City Police Department is housed in the lower level. City Hall measures roughly 6,000 square feet.

Nancy O’Brien goes to the Lamb Steele building four days a week. “Folks who donated money for that building gave a large portion of their life savings to make it happen,” she said. “Now, you want to push us old people out and make it city hall. It’s not right.”

Delores Greenwald simply said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Leave it (us) alone.”

Many echoed sentiments that it would be a “gross violation of the will” if the move were made.

Commission members thanked the crowd for showing up and sharing their feelings and concerns. Commissioner Al Ramirez flat out told the rest of the board, “I would never vote for this. I think it is an awful idea.”

Commissioners Luke Stempien, Stu Davis and Joe DeLuca all indicated they would not support any kind of change.

Mayor Yockey ended the session by reminding the crowd, “no decisions are being made tonight. It was a fact finding mission and I think the commission, very clearly, knows where all of you stand.”

The comments were met with applause from the audience.