Iowa City must keep senior center open

On June 23, 80 members of the Senior Center attended the Ad Hoc Committee meeting.

Twenty-eight of these folks from all walks of life and all with different kinds of issues spoke of what they receive from being able to attend different classes, events, being able to exercise and even have lunch or make new friends.

They spoke from their hearts on how important the center is to them and how it has helped them cope with issues being a senior and getting their lives back.

At the July 7 Ad Hoc Committee meeting, Council member Rick Dobyns belittled all of these folks.

To hear his opinion on these people's comments as a representative of all the residents of Iowa City and as a doctor who is supposedly concerned about the elderly and frail folks of Iowa City was very disheartening.

I believe his real mission is to close the center and, quoting him, 'get the building back on the tax rolls.”

The senior citizens of Iowa City need to attend these Ad Hoc Committee meetings so that we can save the center.

The next Ad Hoc Senior Service Committee meeting is 3:30 p.m. Monday at Iowa City Hall.

I hope that the other members of the committee will keep an open mind and do what is best for the senior citizens of Iowa City.

Jack R. Hobbs

Iowa City