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Friday, March 4, 2011

Local Politicans Fight Senior Center Closures


Proposed budget cuts could shut down 105 senior centers citywide this year, 22 of which are in the Bronx—and Bronx politicians are getting ready for a fight. Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. rallied today on the steps of Bronx Borough Hall (see the above video) in order to signal that this decision would not be accepted quietly.

“Once again, Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg have joined forces to increase the suffering of the senior citizens in New York City who have come to rely on these centers for meals, companionship and social activities,” Diaz said in a press release.

Senator Jose M. Serrano joined Diaz and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at the rally today.

"I will work diligently with my colleagues to develop a budget that is cognizant of the needs of all New Yorkers. We must be careful to develop a budget that doesn't hurt our most vulnerable population," Serrano said in a press release.

Changes to the state’s budget have cut $25 million usually reserved for the City’s Department for the Aging (DFTA), or a third of the agency’s funding for senior centers, according to spokesman Christopher Miller.

Last year, the city threatened to close 50 senior centers across the five boroughs, but many were saved after funding was restored at the last minute.

In a statement, the DFTA said it is working to reverse the cuts, but that closures are certain unless the state money is somehow restored. Centers would close at the end of June if the budget gets passed as proposed, Miller said.

Bronx Council Member Oliver Koppell said the closures would deal a huge blow to local seniors.

“The loss of the senior centers in my district and throughout the city will have a devastating effect,” he said in a statement. “Not only do the centers serve meals, they provide exercise, recreation and socialization to relieve the loneliness that many older people experience.”

To see the full list of Bronx senior centers on the chopping block, click the jump.



KIPS BAY CASTLE HILL SENIOR CENTER
625 CASTLE HILL AVENUE

MECHLER HALL SENIOR CENTER
2158 WATSON AVENUE

EAST CONCOURSE SENIOR CENTER
236 EAST TREMONT AVENUE

PARKSIDE SENIOR CENTER
644 ADEE AVENUE

RAIN NEREID
720 NEREID AVENUE

SISTER ANNUNCIATA BETHEL SENIOR CENTER
243 EAST 204TH STREET

VAN CORTLANDT SENIOR CENTER
3880 SEDGWICK AVENUE

ARTURO SCHOMBERG SENIOR CENTER
1315 FRANKLIN AVENUE

RAIN COLLEGE AVENUE SENIOR CENTER
1020 COLLEGE AVENUE

CITY ISLAND SENIOR CENTER
160 PILOT STREET

JASA THROGS NECK SENIOR CENTER
2705 SCHLEY AVENUE

RAIN EAST TREMONT SENIOR CENTER
2405 EAST TREMONT AVENUE

THOMAS L. GUESS COMMUNITY SENIOR CENTER
2070 CLINTON AVENUE

EINSTEIN SENIOR CENTER J
135 EINSTEIN LOOP

RAIN BOSTON SECOR SENIOR CENTER
3540 BIVONA STREET

RAIN GUNHILL SENIOR CENTER
3445 HOLLAND AVENUE

MITCHELL HOUSES
188 LINCOLN AVENUE

PIO MENDEZ
INC 1291 LAFAYETTE AVENUE

PSS-DAVIDSON SENIOR CENTER
950 UNION AVENUE

CCBA BETANCES SENIOR CENTER
401 ST ANNS AVENUE

MILLBROOK
201 ST ANNS AVENUE

MARBLE HILL SENIOR CENTER
5365 BROADWAY

3 comments:

  1. This is unacceptable. The people of the Bronx is not going to take it any and we're going to fight these closures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The mayor has billions. I wish he could be a mensch and donate the twenty five million necessary to keep the centers open.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so happy to hear our politicains are fighting hard to keep the senior centers open.My Mom who is 90 years old looks forward to spending time at the center.This month on Tuesday the 15th of March they are having a ST Patricks Day gathering..Unfortunaltely they do not even have any music or even a radio to sing along to the Irish songs.They pay $5.00 for there little lunch and talk about it for 3 months.I hope this small luxury is not taken away from them.As a recent retiree from Cablevision in Nassau County I have lots of time to be able to get a real look at her life through her eyes and daily activities...Half of the stores on bainbrigde she shopped at were burned down and recently reopened ..A huge improvement it is good to see that The good old Bronx is still ticking away but I would hate to see the senior centers pulled from them. She could live with me at anytime, but she loves her area..I hope all the politicians fighting in there behalf keeps in mind there own parents!!!!It is such a simple joy!!! She goes to Sister Annunciatas Center at 243 E 204th st.Hope this year they have some music!!!!
    Thank you for all caring!
    P.van Doran

    ReplyDelete

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