Dear City Council members,
Please publicly explain and end the apparent negligence of ongoing, serious problems at the MP Belle Haven Senior "Center" which have been clearly shown by residents and seniors since the new building opened last year. As I and others have watched or attended past city council meetings, your silence on this has been disturbing and puzzling.
As a senior and past instructor there, I experienced the severe problems for classes, and most importantly, for seniors and anyone with mobility issues or disabilities. Only one elevator, only one bathroom upstairs where classes are, often no air conditioning on the hottest days and windows cannot open more than a few inches, inaccessible main entrance and downstairs bathroom doors, metal stools and unsafe / inadequate seating and space for activities and classes CONTINUES.
*Do you remember the original building and award winning, outstanding Menlo Park Senior Center--- When it was an actual Senior Center ? Seniors were promised by city council and staff that this would continue with the new building. That "promise" is not the reality now--it is NOT a "center"-- only a few rooms are "allowed" for seniors for a very limited time. The caring, attentive staff has been severely reduced and stressed as they tirelessly work for the seniors. Yet, other cities have their own Senior Center buildings with staff that are supported by their city managers / councils.
The Almanac (April 18) covered the issues with the Belle Haven POOL ---while many residents want to USE the Senior "center"-- so, WHY are you not addressing the crucial, even potentially dangerous conditions that continue there?
*One obvious problem from the start:
when the position of Community Services director was combined with the Library Services director. Combining those huge responsibilities under one director is NOT working--- so, perhaps start there-- ?
The Belle Haven community residents and seniors NEED a director of Community Services who cares, responds, and actually addresses the ongoing, clear concerns of the residents and supports the senior center staff and seniors.
Its time to take action on this, please.
Thank you,
Patty Mayall
