· Reinstate the position

of site manager and activity coordinator. The city of Fayetteville funded

$12,000 several years ago for a site manager, yet there is no one in that

position. The seniors enjoy quilting, making pillows and other crafts

and being able to show them off to the community. The center could have

a "Senior Day" where the community, friends, and family could

visit the center and enjoy their handy-work and even purchase items. The

two sewing machines disappeared from the center.

· Provide dedicated employees

to interact with the seniors. Employee turnover is very high at the center.

During a period from 1997 to 2001 I observed more than 17 employees leave,

causing service gaps, and the hours for employees who were in direct contact

with the seniors were cut. Continuity is vital to the well being of seniors.

· Re-organize the management

team. The agency has three directors yet some services such as Meals on

wheels and In Home Services are outsourced to other agencies. This has

the effect of "too many chiefs and not enough Indians" and there

was the tyranny of micromanagement in place there.

Fayette County commissioners

give my tax dollars to this agency to provide seniors a place to visit

with friends and feel useful. The present building was not the focus of

complaints at the forum, rather it was the lack of creative leadership

that was in question and how money is spent.

The present management has

not treated their long-time core group of seniors in the center very well.

Treat your present clientele well and the word will spread like wildfire

that it's a happy place, but take away their sewing machines and your

customer will go elsewhere.

Maybe that was the best suggestion

given at the forum: outsource the Senior Activity Center to people who

know how to respect and enjoy the camaraderie of seniors.

Ann S. Hudson

Fayetteville