That’s how the roll in my neck of the woods.

Maybe if your demographic got out there and voted more, you’d get more money for the kids.

$1 mil. allocated by the city then for the project, now where is the money?

Seems like you are a day late and a dollar short on the rant for what has been back burnered for years now.

What is inevitable for Oak Ridge is a Senior Center. It has, it does, and it will pull more people to this city than any of your ideas. And if you wish to put a Target into the picture again, make sure a Target rep is there to back your words. We all knew a Target wasn’t coming, now you know also.

Not another circuit head.

The gist is our city has left out a very important part of itself, seniors and the promise they have given them.

And for intelligence, a new center is the way to go.

At 88 years I feel quaified to comment. Seniors become lonely not by choice, but because friends and family die before they do (or cast them aside) and they need social contacts Not all can afford to pay for assisted living accommodations. They are better off with a place to go and visit and mingle instead of staying isolated and growing more helpless and unhealthy. As for a NEW place for seniors, forget the new building idea. Instead use some monry to renovate one of the many empty spaces in town where businesses have closed down.

P.S. When was the last time you spent some real time with one or both of your parents?

What boat am I missing? I don’t see a problem with spending a percentage of city money, combined with a lion’s share of private funds, to renovate existing space.
The boat in this case involves the fact that Oak Ridge is getting broker and broker. Its a city thats going to be relying on property tax to pay the bills in the next year or so, and the property tax value is pretty high as it is.

PS: Mind your own business. Both of my folks post here, they might answer you themselves.

Many of these people do not have the health, desire, or the wherewithal to attend events outside their home, and in addition to the need for a place of gathering for those who have been blessed with a sound mind and wit and body like Auntie Mame, there is a need for home visiting as well. It’s none of my beeswax, but wouldn’t it be nice to think outside the box and throw down a little time and money for the elders who can’t get out of the house.

Y’know, I don’t know if any parent thinks their adult child spends enough time with them. Don’t you worry about ol’ AT though. He is available to us at any time, and we know his heart is with us. He and the boys pray for us every night, and we pray for them. We see each other as often as we want to. We’re a long way from the respectable age of 88, but I’m confident that the kids will be around when we get there. God bless you, Auntie Mame, with continued strength and wit and beauty.

Any time you wanna crank up on AT, you have my permission. Hear that AT?

The new Senior Center is critical to centralizing the needs of our seniors, and it should sit centrally with what is building on the Turnpike and Tulsa.

Ask yourself AT, why is the high school so focused on presenting its building to the public? I believe for visitors to see as they drive around. The Senior Center can be part of the buildings that are continually being made over and built on along the Turnpike and Tulsa. The new Senior Center will add to what can be seen in Oak Ridge, along with the new High School.

Imagine what kind of high school would be here if we followed your plan for corporate funding. We have seen nothing for other schools in our city. And would see an even more conservative budget when all school buildings are facing upgrades.

So the next time you are at CompUSA, ask the manager how much money have they given to Oak Ridge Schools, and the next time you see a senior in Oak Ridge ask how much he or she has given to Oak Ridge Schools and Government. You will see why seniors are the greatest asset our city has, not businesses.

Uh…maybe because the closest CompUSA is in Knoxville, and purchases made there generate tax dollars for Knox County Schools?

You’re still saying “there should be a senior center”. I’m still saying “I don’t disagree”. But what you haven’t discussed is why the city should pay for it?

I don’t think its a valid argument to consider what school funding would be like if it were paid corporately, because school funding has been a public mainstay since the civil war or so.

Eaves answered the Compusa thing well enough, I’m going to leave that one alone, except to say that when I buy stuff, its usually cheaper to buy online. A paradox, huh?

Why don’t you come to the forums to discuss this. I’ve said about all I have to say without repeating myself, man.

Schools have been funded by local taxes since the first decade of the 1800’s, so the plan to build schools off local tax dollars is justified. That isn’t what we have today. What I see is a city poorly planning for its citizens while increasing costs for education because nobody in this city can cook a meal for their student. Parents should boycott the school lunch system and pack their students with healthy homemade food. We are filling our city housing with subsidized rents and students who couldn’t give two hoots for paying for anything. And the students who are excellent move out. Now when a city moves away from corporate profits i.e. schools and malls, they begin to put their money into community amenities i.e. senior center, library, and museums. These buildings attract and keep the residents that do pay their way.

I believe all who oppose a senior center with a city bond, not much with 37% of our population being a senior group, are the people who will not stay in Oak Ridge. And on the other side is a directed community by those who have an interest in Oak Ridge and willing to give our taxes to Oak Ridgers with civil purpose and not to outsiders.

ACT doesn’t talk about what I talk about. This was an input by me to you, it is your topic that you wouldn’t want a senior center paid by local taxes. Well I disagree and will leave you alone. Till next time,