Tuesday, Aug. 24
August 24, 2010Thursday, Aug. 26
August 26, 2010State budget cuts are having a direct impact on St. Mary Parish’s Council on Aging, according to the director.
Any more trimming in the state Capitol, and the local senior program could find itself $125,000 in the red and slashing services, Director Beverly Domengeaux warned St. Mary’s parish council.
“If you guys would close, we would just die,” a senior citizen recently told Domengeaux, who made an impassioned plea for additional funding at the Aug. 11 council meeting.
The council awarded the program $30,000 in addition to the $20,000 it normally allocates yearly to help fund the Council on Aging.
Domengeaux said the funding will allow the Council on Aging to serve at least half of the 435 seniors on the waiting list to receive a hot meal through the Meals on Wheels program.
“But the word we got is that we’re going to get more cuts from the state,” she said. “The governor wants to make more cuts. And if we cut anymore, we’re going to have to make up that money with fundraisers.”
And that prospect is worrisome given the recent economic downturn locally, the director said.
“People aren’t able to give us the contributions they usually do,” Domengeaux said. “A lot of people are moving into the community, but many are moving in with family because they can’t keep up their homes anymore. That’s putting added pressure on everyone.”
Not helping the matter any, Domengeaux said she received word the area United Way is also cutting its budget. The organization has said it may not be able to meet its St. Mary contractual obligations.
On the bright side, St. Mary Community Action Director Almetra Franklin has offered grant writers to help the Council on Aging seek funds to continue feeding home-bound seniors.
“There is a new buzz word in other parts of the world called ageism. That is, when a person reaches a certain age, no one should have to take care of them anymore. I say remember, if it wasn’t for us seniors, none of you would be here right now,” she said.
The parish’s Council on Aging program delivered 113,233 meals to 919 senior citizens last year at a cost of nearly $300,000.
“We ask our folks to donate $5 for a homemaker and $2 for a meal,” Domengeaux said. “We’re getting about half of that because people don’t have the money. Yet, every day, we’re seeing more people in need of home-delivered meals.”
During her presentation before the council, Domengeaux said Gov. Bobby Jindal suggested the community and relatives of the parish’s needy should help pick up the shortfall. “‘Get the community involved and get the families more involved,’ he says. Well, I’m there to supplement the families, not to take the place of them,” she said.
“I always thought the government was family-oriented?” Council Chairman Albert Foulcard asked.
“I did too, Mr. Foulcard,” Domengeaux responded. “And the Older Americans Act says specifically that we must have services for seniors.”
According to Domengeaux, the parish receives roughly $1.25 for each senior citizen in St. Mary, “and we have a little over 6,000.”
“So what you’re saying is that your deficit is likely to grow,” Councilman Craig Matthews asked. Later adding, “Well, we help out the prisoners more than the elderly. What do we have to say about that?”
The question elicited a comment from Councilman Gary Duhon: “We might be obligated to feed our seniors but, hey, I’m getting old myself. We need to comb our budget to find more ways we can help,” he said.
“Helping this program out should not even be a debate,” Matthews replied.
At the request of an unnamed parish mayor, Domengeaux said she is reviewing clients’ situation to determine if they are in need of services.
The $30,000 additional Council on Aging money was taken from Morgan City’s gaming fund, which is paid by Amelia Belle Casino.
The casino agreed to a 10-year deal when it opened to pay St. Mary $1 million to dock in the parish. The monies are split among parish law enforcement entities and service providers. In addition, each of the municipalities receives $10,000 each.
After paying the Council on Aging, Morgan City’s fund is left with $10,000.
Parish accountant Paul Governale warned that the fund is almost bust. “There will not be too much, if anything, left for seniors,” he told the council.
“I’m not worried about the rainy days,” Matthews replied. “Let’s worry about them later. Let’s feed our seniors.”
