Keep it simple with C.R. senior center

The Cedar Rapids community has showed its lack of support for a senior center for decades. The blame falls upon the Witwer Senior Center board and the senior leaders who kept silent about the lack of public support.

A senior center can be a wonderful gathering place. But this national trend of turning senior centers into multigenerational/intergenerational highly structured places isn't being questioned enough. It's not a good example to follow.

Consider the Iowa City Senior Center. Nearly all of the large city budget goes for staff wages and benefits. For instance, the director's salary is $96,554, without the benefits package. Three of the other top staff at the senior center earn, $54,122, $60,486 and $51,376.

The Iowa City center is not a friendly place for lower-income seniors.

I grew up in Cedar Rapids. I see the value in having a pleasant senior center. It doesn't have to be a fancy place that caters to the upper-income elders. It doesn't need highly paid staff, high-cost classes or fancy health club features.

I hope there are fearless people in Cedar Rapids who will pick up the ball for creating a good, simple senior center. If necessary, leave the Witwer group behind and start all over.

Charlotte Walker

Founder/manager,

Seniors On Guard

Coralville