Dear editor:

The Powell Senior Center seeks, and has sought, millions of taxpayer dollars for a new building for nearly five years. The senior center dilemma began with the opportunity of building a new senior center on land offered by the Rocky Mountain Manor. Inability to secure funding grants, among other issues, caused the cessation of consideration for building on the manor property. Numerous attempts to secure grants for $3-plus million in 2020 and currently in excess of $8 million have been unsuccessful to this point. Government organizations look unfavorably on providing public funds directly to a private nonprofit corporation. Sometime back, a local legislator had suggested partnering with a municipality (Powell) to enhance the chances of government grants. That suggestion went unheeded for several years until a current board member engaged with the city to accomplish that relationship.

The quest for funding the new $8-plus million facility remains elusive. For what particular reason is not apparently clear. Are the right grants being applied for? Does the senior center meet ALL of the grant requirements? Could it be that verbiage provided in the grant application does not present a compelling case to provide $8 million of taxpayer funds? These are just a few of the questions needing to be answered. Should a sizable grant be awarded and require matching funds (likely in the millions of dollars) where would those funds be obtained? This comes with the understanding that any federal, state or local funding is becoming more challenging all the time. Funding is becoming very difficult just to “keep the wheels on” day to day and the burden left solely to the director while the board of directors remains relatively inert. The board of directors will be forced to make some very difficult decisions if operating funding is reduced or cut and relieve the director of the entire responsibility of what needs to be done.

Aside from funding issues, the Powell Senior Center suffers a publicity problem. Prior board members had suggested the idea of public awareness campaigns to increase visibility, but has fallen upon deaf ears. When seeking a sum of $8-plus million  there needs to be broad based support by local area citizens and their legislative representatives. There does not seem to be that kind of public support, likely due to lack of information as to what the senior center provides. All that most people know is that the center is just a lunch room where one can get a cheap lunch or a cinnamon roll on Wednesdays. The senior center director developed a wonderful brochure outlining many features that the senior center offers and not just for senior citizens. These brochures are largely available only at the Chamber of Commerce, but NEED a wider audience. A manned information table at the county fair could be a great opportunity for just that purpose to name just one. Something needs to change since “doing the same thing the same way over and over again and expecting a different result” is just not working. It is time to make a case for the cost to benefit relationship for the community.

It is sad that there is no greater support for the senior center or senior citizens in the Powell area. These seniors are the ones who helped Powell grow and prosper. It’s hard to convince young people that everyone grows old sometime, and wouldn’t it be good to have an enduring resource for aging issues.

Board of directors meetings are held the last Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. and are open to the public. Seize the opportunity to attend and ask questions of the board and director and make your concerns known. Expect answers. Being a 501(c)(3) public charity all citizens are entitled to see the finances and meeting minutes.

Being seniors ourselves and having a great many senior friends who have used and are presently using the senior center we hope that success comes sooner than later. Perhaps not in our lifetime but for those in the future who will need the help of a place like the Powell Senior Center. The continuation of the Powell Senior Center should include the support and participation of younger people in the community.

Sincerely,

Bob and Linda Graff

Powell