Senior Centers

While much has been made of regionalization of schools, little has been heard of other areas where this may prove effective with little cost and with little effort. Regionalizing Senior Centers could be done on many levels- and should be done.

Right now we have a program with endangered funding. Why not combine these programs? Not three newsletters- One. Not three programs, but combined programs. You could still keep your three centers. Think about it. Many possibilities present themselves when you think of the senior centers in this fashion.

What is the most popular program at our local Senior Center? An exercise program in the evening open to all. Thinking of our Senior Center as ONLY for seniors is a misnomer. Widening our program focus is healthy not only for seniors, but for the community as a whole. Perhaps the time has even come to think of them as Community Centers. Witness our center's oncoming plan to offer cooking courses. I know two young men who could use some cooking courses (my sons).

Why does Middletown not rent out its Center? It does so in effect when it throws a Sat. Cancer Socity fundraiser/bakesale. This also called for the 4 hr. presence and pay for an overtime custodian. Why not lease this place out for meetings/parties? Much of the time it is empty. It has a kitchen and parking, plus a large room. Hello, income. You could initiate a pass key system there; thereby, no custodian needed for overtime. Think of another place where you could hold community meetings which is sorely needed. And income. For the town and/or center. Easy.

I'll publish later more reasons why some reform in our local center is needed. All of the above could also be handled through a private non-profit which is what Newport & Portsmouth do. They contribute an amount (far less than Middletown) & let this group operate their centers. It not only is cost-effective, but is a responsible system.

By combining centers on some levels, more private foundation monies would also be available. What do you think?

Ya Got Trouble at Bay Ridge, Middletown

I've blogged a number of times on the troubled real estate market here. We've got troubles- right here in River City. Ooops, wrong town, wrong area, wrong era; but who could resist?

I had dropped my link for the blog "Bay Ridge at Forest Ave." awhile ago as it seemed dead. Silly me. But with the condo developer now pressing for a change in residency rules, the blog has taken on a new life & even been quoted in the NDN.

My opinion? That's one baby going down. They never had much chance when they started- too late. The original owner (Franklin Simon Co.- developers out of Braintree) helped form "Bay Ridge Development" with Oldport Homes- Eric Johnson out of Portsmouth. This was financed by Brookline Bank of Brookline, MA and Bank Newport of Newport, RI. (source). So how solid is this bank? They say VERY, but profits say otherwise. BankNewport's profits are also down. The question is, how long will they wait before pulling the plug? Banks like to be repaid AND make profits.

The primary question is how firm is the current financial backing? I'm guessing not very in the current banking world. Going the senior development route never made much sense, but Simon's did get someone else to do it, didn't they? Ah, the blessing & curse of living in "interesting times."

Check out the website for updates. And remember, if they're in trouble, we'll all feel the pain. Think tax proceeds for one example.

Here is Matt Sheley's NDN article. Gee, sometimes we bloggers are downright useful, aren't we?

Essential Question for Meals on Wheels

A million bucks in cash reserves, yet 46 people on a "waiting list." It would cost the organization appx. $46,000. This group supplies a hot meal once a day, five x/wk. to 2,300 seniors using 1,200 volunteers (reimbursed for gas) and 17 paid truck drivers to assist with delivery.

In interviewing group admins & directors why there was a waiting list at all, the mantra was "it's a business." It's more than a business. It's a not-for-profit charity which engages in public fundraising with the slogan,"providing for our seniors."

But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one. (Martin Luther King)

It's time for the directors of that fine organization to ask that question. This may also be the time for all the rest of us to answer that question and let our voices be heard- loudly. Feed those seniors! Eliminate any further waiting lists. Because it's right.

Thanks to Projo writer Tracy Breton.

Food Inspections in District

The Health Dept. has now placed its site inspections online here. The good news is that you can check out local eatiers, caterers, shops offering food, school cafes, nursing homes, even senior centers. The bad news is that there are few reports posted.

The inspections go back to Jan. 07 (Sept. 06 for most schools). I've blogged on the lack of food inspectors before. On this site you can plug in your town or zip & receive full reports (or not). You can click on the actual report & view when corrections were made.

In a previous entry, I blogged on a report from the D.C. "Center for Science in the Public Interest" (CSPI), a non-profit organization with a report out, "Making The Grade." This report evaluates the conditions existing in our public school cafeterias.

In the frequency of school food service reports, Rhode Island scored worst. In access to inspection reports, Rhode Island scored worst (it's SUPPOSED to be 2x/yr. but often is not). On a grade point score of 100, Rhode Island received a failing 54 score. Some violations included cross-contamination of clean and dirty utensils, improper holding temperatures, and the presence of vermin.

Schools are required by federal mandates to conduct these food facility audits & now instead of relying on State inspections, may hire third party auditors. Unfortunately these reports are not available, only the violations are listed with no date of correction.

Be careful in the school search. Many Middletown schools (and some restaurants) are listed in the 02840 zip. They certainly fared worse in their inspections than Tiverton schools & most local eateries. Why? And sometimes the violations continued. I found no reports for Little Compton. The zip code & name searches did NOT work. I found no reports for the Middletown Senior Center or any other in the district. Why not??? All the nursing homes filed, but nothing for privately funded Blenheim.

This new site post the reports online, but sadly, posting doesn't solve the problem of non-inspections or poor quality. In Florida, eateries are inspected twice/yr. and one surprise inspection. One the Health website I could not find any indication of any regs regarding this & I would appreciate the info if a reader has it.