Sandel Seniors to Protest Proposed 2011-12 Village Budget Cuts

Members of the Sandel Senior Center are outraged after seeing a 12 percent cut to the center's funding in the village's proposed 2011-12 budget — among the steepest in the fiscal plan — which would decrease the center's professional services and program staff by about half.

The 12 percent cut, or roughly $72,000, would mean less classes and special events per month, center officials said, and would also impact transportation and social services. But members say they won't stand for it.

Dr. Cyd Charrow, director of the Sandel Senior Center, said members have circulated a petition, mailed post cards to Mayor Mary Bossart denouncing the cuts, and plan to protest at the next village board meeting. "The cuts to senior services would be devastating," Charrow said.

Inside the center hangs a calendar of events with dates blacked out if the proposed cuts went through. According to center officials, 15 days of classes and services would have to be cancelled if cuts were approved.

Viva Gigante, a member who is organizing the petition, said that if the proposed cuts are approved, many members will lose a vital part of their every day lives. "This is a second home for a lot of us," she said. "It will all change if they make the cuts."

Bossart said she has received complaints on the proposed cuts and understands why seniors are disgruntled with them, but noted that the village still offers several programs at the public library and recreation center. "I understand their concern," Bossart said. "Unfortunately, like many other municipalities, we are faced with difficult decisions, but we are lucky to have these additional resources."

The mayor added that the center's nutrition program, one of the most important aspects of the senior center, will be maintained.

Sylvia Leeds, the center's corresponding secretary, said that she intends to voice her displeasure about the proposed cuts at the next board meeting. "This is our life blood," she said of the center. "For some seniors, this is their whole life and cutting services would be disastrous."

The village board meets for a briefing session on March 24, and will convene for a public budget session on March 29 at Village Hall.