Do the county commissioners have a heart?

The following letter was sent to the Flathead County Commissioners.

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I am a 76-year-old volunteer at the North Valley Senior Center in Columbia Falls, and I absolutely do not understand your position regarding Area Agency on Aging and your desire to eliminate services to this county’s aged.

You are targeting a population that is in a diminishing stage of life after having worked, supported their families and paid taxes all their lives. Now in their senior years, these people are retired, many widowed and lonely, and many living on vastly-reduced retirement incomes. Many are in failing health and in varying stages of incapacitation.

These are the people you have chosen to attack by eliminating benefits that many are dependent upon just to stay alive, such as Meals-On-Wheels. For some recipients, that is the only food they have in an entire day.

And your wishes are to cancel the services that make these people’s lives safer and a little more pleasant? Incredible. The population that A.O.A. serves cannot afford costly nursing or retirement homes — many are living in sub-standard housing, do not own automobiles and are in poor health.

Do either of you have a conscience or a heart? How can you close your eyes to the needs of these impoverished, ailing older Americans? Seniors who are mobile rely on the centers for blood pressure checks, exercise programs, expressing artistic and musical talents, the camaraderie of a noon meal together, and generally the uplifting, friendly and warm atmosphere the centers provide. And you would actually take this all away?

I would ask and suggest that you take a second look at your positions, picture the human beings whose lives your actions would negatively affect, and, for once don’t let the dollar rule. Then see if you still want to be responsible for increasing the stress and decreasing the quality of life of the aging citizens of Flathead County. If you choose to uphold your position, you are not performing the job we citizens elected you to do.

Caroline Thompson lives in Columbia Falls.