Flora Senior Center has no worries

Comet photo

At last Wednesday's Flora Senior Citizens lunch, Flora Town Council President Josh Ayres and Clerk-Treasurer Joretta Tinsman spoke to the group about a televised report that the center may be closing. Carroll County Council on Aging Director Jeff Sieber reported the night before on WLFIChannel 18 that due to the county's budget crunch, his budget is down and he may be forced to close the Flora facility because it costs the most to operate. "We're here to tell you," said Tinsman, "he's not closing the site. The Town of Flora will keep the site open. There could be changes, it's too early to tell." Tinsman said the town does not foresee taking over the site as a burden. Flora's Council on Aging site is housed in the Community Building on North Division Street which is owned by the town. "Flora already provides all the maintenance for the building, insurance, and all utilities," she added. "The Council on Aging's expenses are a site worker for five hours a day (Monday through Friday), the telephone, and transportation." Tinsman said that last fall she applied for a grant to purchase a transportation van, but has yet to learn if Flora is among the recipients. Meals for the site are contracted through Midland Meals. "This is a service to our seniors that Flora is not willing to give up," said Ayres.