From:
Council; Mary Gourley
Subject: The Sebastopol Senior Center
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024 9:18:24 AM
Good morning Mayor Rich, members of the Council and Mr. Schwartz, I am writing to request that the Sebastopol City Council continue its financial support for the Sebastopol Senior Center.
I am a long time resident of Sebastopol, a former member of the Planning Commission and a former member of the Gravenstein School District’s MPF Board of Directors. I often work from home here in Sebastopol and our two young adults attend school here. In these roles, and in my work life, I have worked with and around a number of non-profit organizations and facilities. The Sebastopol Senior Center is among the best I have ever seen.
The Sebastopol Senior Center is an amazing resource here in Sebastopol. I have taken several classes on health issues which have been helpful in improving my every day living. I have attended several events there, including meeting with local authors. My wife and I also regularly enjoy meals from The Harvest Cafe.
My wife has become very active at the Senior Center, acting as one of the coordinators for the Ukulele Club there. This activity has not only caused her much happiness, but has brought joy to others, including fellow club members and a group of Alzheimer’s patients who regularly meet at the Senior Center.
I always receive the friendliest of greetings when I go to the Senior Center, as does every guest. I know that individuals come from throughout the County to attend events there or to have a meal there.
The City of Sebastopol has one of the highest percentages of senior citizens among its population. Thus, the Senior Center is a resource for a significant number of citizens of the City, as well as West County.
I know that the City is in a difficult financial situation at present. Many of us, including me, have spent years asking the City Council to attempt to increase revenues by trying to attract more West County friendly businesses to Sebastopol. Many of us also raised concerns about the loss of revenue when one of only two of our hotels was converted to homeless housing, with the attendant drop in revenue.
But, we are where we are. There are a good number of programs that have been funded by the Council that can with some difficulty absorb a reduction in funding. I don’t believe the Senior Center is one of those programs.
I encourage you to do everything possible to maintain current funding levels for the Senior Center.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Rick Brody