HomeMy Public PortalAboutA 2011-06-01 - SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL J
CITY OF LYNWOOD
SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
GENERAL MEETING
LYNWOOD SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER
11329 ERNESTINE AVENUE
LYNWOOD, CA 90262
AGENDA
Wed nesday, J u ne 1, 2011 12: 00 p. m. —1: 00 p. m.
THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT.
12:00 p.m. Call to Order � ��� $;�-}�.�
Pledge of Allegiance R E C E I V� E D
Invocation
Roll Cali
_ Lorene Reed, Chairperson MAY 2 6 2011
` Pamela Taylor, Vice-Chairperson
_ Barbara Battle CITY OF LYNWOOD
_ D. Joyce Edner CITY CLERKS OFFICE
Paulette Bradley �,�.�,� Q��„�,,,,�„-L
Certification of Agenda Posting
Approval of Minutes 05/04/11 L ��� G (� � � ��� �� � '
12:10 p.m. Public Comments (2 minutes)
12:20 p.m. Activities Report
1. Mother's Day
2. Cinco de Mayo
June Events
1. Father's Day Event
2. Juneteenth Event
Staff Report
12:45 p.m. Board Orals (2 minutes)
1:OQ p.m. Adjournment
The Recreation Department, Senior Services Division does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
Persons with disabilities may request accommodation services by calling (310) 886-0425 two-weeks
in advance of the meeting. The facility providing this service is wheelchair accessible.
''" Senior Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
May 4, 2011
"I'he meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by Chair, Lorene Reeci. The agenda was duly posted as
prescribed by the Brown Act.
Pledge of Allegiance: Percy Brown
Invocation: Member Barbara Battle
Roll Call: Cecilia Amezquita
Present: Absent:
Barbara Battle Paulette Bradley
Lorene Reed D. Joyce Edner
Pamela Taylor
Public Comments:
Ophelia Sanders — Regarding parking, there have been a couple of acUvities at Bateman Hall and when the
Seniors get here we have no parking. We see people from Bateman Hall go to the back parking lot and get
in their car. We need to have that addressed, so we can at least have a spot for us.
Mary Fuller — I am a member of the seniar center and I am also in charge of the card club. Everyone is
invited whether you live in Lynwood or not. It is every Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. I am a little
tired of the bickering and stutf that is going on in the center. They say the center belongs to everyone. I
want to apologize to my card club members that played after the �pen house last week. We were having a
good time until we were rudely addressed by someone. Everything here belongs to everyone and it should
be shared equally. I hear rumors and I know they're true about getting rid of Marisa. It is wrong and you
know iYs wrong. Who else do you have good here? They got rid of three before her and now they are
working on her. It just doesn't make any sense. Just because you go to a person far them to help you or do
something for you doesn't mean that person has to. The approach you make towards that person makes a
big difference if they are going to get rid of someone or take someone else's job because you think you are
capable of doing that. I'm just tired of all of it and it needs to stop. The main one that needs ta be here to
hear what I am saying isn't here today. I wonder why? Join in, have fun and have a good time.
Carlton Fuller — One day during the repast, Paulette got in front of my face and almost knocked the plate
out of my hand because she is a hater. Those are the people that are trying to get rid of Marisa. There is one
of them. The second one is Sylvia Henon, I was sitting down playing cards enjoying myself. I hear a lot of
screaming betund my back, I turn my back to tind out what is going on. She started pointing and putting her
finger in my face, yelling and screaming in my face. I felt like breaking her finger but if I pushed any of
these ladies they would probably press criminal charges.
Chair Lorene Reetl — Mr. Fuller please address us and try to refrain from calling any names, lets say
inciividuals, look at me Mr. Fuller.
Carlton Fuller — The Senior Citizens written reyuest to Perry doesn't mean anything. When we get rid of
Marisa, We had one hundred names when Mary and I went to talk to Perry. He said a few names have 10
points and all the hundred people in the senic�r center have 1 point. That means he's like the god father, that
enables little soldiers and they get what they want in this building and that's what he told me and my wife.
They need to investigate that, I am speaking for myself Carlton Fuller. It is very wrong and inappropriate.
Sometimes to see Paulette's car in front of Perry's office, that means they are getting together to plan to do
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something else to the people and let you seniors know this is how I operate. You don't have all of the rights
that you think you have because Paulette might have faith, thank you.
Myrtle Waters Brown — I am extremely disappointed. I wanted to rent this place for my 75`" Birthday
celebration. I wrote a letter in November requesting it. I didn't hear anything so I wrote a letter to City
Council as a reminder. I was told that this building was not for rent and I would have to have a party that
was for all folks born in October. I want a birthday party for me. I am and was willing to pay the cost of
renting this place. I'm tired of having to go to other communities and rent places to have something. I was
told about Bateman Ha1L I went over there introduced myself and asked about the place. I was told without
even looking at the books. When do you want your event? I said October 1, 2011. Oh, we are booked for
that. I said ok, everything is booked? My party is to be in the day time. 1 was told that the place was rented
for nine hours. I said may I see the room that may be available? I was not allowed to see the rooms. I was
given a little piece of paper, stating the cost even though I had been told there would be a discount for
residents of Lynwood. I did not see the facility and later on I was told that the place was not being rented. I
didn't ask anybody to give me anything. I am very upset about the fact that I can't rent this place near my
home. So for me to be denied to have my party here is sinful.
Rebecca Allen — I am really disappointed in some of the people at the senior center and for them to act this
way and there is only three or four that are making the senior center disorganized. My grandmother told me
"there is no fool like an old fool" now if this pertains to you ok and if it doesn't you don't have to worry
about it. But all of this going off, acting like you're in high school it's time to grow up. Let's be the mature
adults that we are. This is not a center for those three or four people, it is for everyone. If you are that
unhappy with your life and have that much misery this is not the place for you.
Manny Perez —1 have been listening to these complaints about whether this unit is loaned for whatever. The
oniy suggestion is that it doesn't involve the seniors with the problem that City Council or whoever controls
the use of this facility. The role of the people here is an Advisory Council, we can not make, do or undo
what the City does. Why involve us with that?
Dorothy Compton — I was here the other day when the incident occurred. She was pointing her finger in our
faces as if we were five years old. Telling us about chairs we shouldn't be sitting in and we should get up
immediately and put the chairs back in there. Number one, we didn't put the chairs there and if we did so
what? The chairs should be shared by everyone and there is a way to approach people. I didn't like her
getting in my face pointing her finger like that. I didn't like it at all. She should be glad that I had a good
day that day. I spoke with Mr. Brents that day, he assured me that he was going to get an apology from her
but I don't want a written apology that someone else has typed up and she may or may not have signed. I
want her to say I'm sorry to my face like she did when she was pointing her finger and tell me that she
didn't mean it, that she is sorry or whatever. You shouldn't feel you should just come here and be a citizen
and not have anything to say. If you want to say something say it. Whether it is going to do something or
not at least you've said what you wanted to say to him.
Pearline Calderon — I am a resident of Lynwood for years and yes I am going to toot my horn because if it
wasn't for my husband writing a letter to Senator Boxer we might not be in a senior center building. It is
very appalling to see seniors calling other people names. I do agree with the lady that said everyone has the
right to speak. Yes we do have the right to speak and for this reason some of the people in the senior center,
staffor in the city do not like me because we stand up for the truth. We speak it the way we see it. We don't
have to call people names to get your point across. You can go to Council. You have that right regardless of
what this Senior Advisory Council says, bring it to us. You bring it here and nothing is done. So what do
people do now, look at the frustration and for you to sit here and permit this type of ineeting to go on, it is
appalling. Sure we have to voice our frustrations but we should do it in a respectful way.
Jerry Smith — I don't live in Lynwood but I am here a lot. I don't speak Spanish and I know there is a lot
that don't and I don't understand a thing she was saying.
Chair Lorene Reed — She has been translating.
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Lien Stringfield — I want to address what Pearline said about the senior center about her and her husband. If
she doesn't do all that someone else will do it to have the senior center. If she don't do it someone else will
do it to have a senior center in Lynwood. I do remember a long time ago the city was going to have a senior
center. I love the senior center. I don't care who takes care of the building it belongs to everybody. It's not
for me because I do this or that. Pve been with the city for a long time I never complain about anything.
Malaquias Moreno — I am a resident in the city of Lynwood for 38 years. I have two years practically
coming every day. It is not to contradict the ladies response that because of certain people the center was
built. I imagine that everyone that is a resident or has plenty of time invested and contributed in one way or
another with their taxes that we pay as residents. We all contributed in one way or another for this center to
be built.
Racquel Manzo — I am happy because this is my second home. Whether it's been political or not, I have
loved to cooperate a lot. It doesn't matter what race or language we speak because God made us all.
Chair Lorene Reed — People discuss things in various ways. How people accept it, that is up to you but the
truth has been spoken today. Everyone was able to say what was on their mind and how they felt and
everyone is entitled to that. That is your right. We do have parking issues. We are addressing parking
issues. People pointing in their faces, that needs to be addressed. We have a code of conduct and everyone
should be abiding. We come here to have fun and get together. If that is not what your plan is don't come
here, bottom line stay home we don't need it, we don't want it. So if you want to come here and have fun
you're in the right place. If you don't want to have fun don't come. No one person is responsible for
building this center. There are people who have passed on, who 20 years ago before you even thought about
getting involved, worked to get this senior center: Al Kilts, Art Rattle, Verna Culp and Manny Perez these
are people who were there on the front line, pioneering, getting this senior center built but in your heart if
you feel like you're the one that did it then you are the one. Whatever you want to believe you believe it just
come here, have fun and leave everybody else alone. Bateman Hall for Mrs. Brown we have been working
on this party since November trying to get this buiiding. We were told that this building would be rented out
and we would know by June how much the fee would be in order for her to get this building because she
shouid be able to have her party here. I don't know how we are going to do it but we need to have her
birthday party here without having to say everybody born in October should come to her party. That's not
what she wants. She has people coming from out of state to celebrate her 75`" birthday. Why shouldn't she
be able to do it right around the corner from her house? Manny you know I love you and respect you, it is
my job as the chair of this Advisory Council to see to it that she has her party right here and that's what I
am going to do. Darothy I am right with you. Lien we are going to miss you, her fliers are out in the lobby.
We are going to do her going away party on May 1 l, 2011.
Percy Brown — I was wondering why we didn't have the open house on a weekend instead of a weekday. I
just think we would have had more people. I understand this is the last meeting for the senior council as it
currently exists at this time, true? So I guess we are going to be reformatting. I hope they do the right thing
and reformat it the way Block Watch is. That is, the people elect the board instead of City Council
appointing people. Let the people elect who they want to lead us. A last thing said about what we can and
can't say or what we should or shouldn't do. Frankly I think this is the other place to speak up even if it is
an action that only Council can take because as far as I know Council gets the minutes and this is the way
they can know what is going on in here. Last but not least in the words of Rodney King "can't we all just
get along?"
Activities Report:
1. Open house:
Mary Fuller — To me the open house was great. I had a good time it was a place for people to
advertise and promote the clubs here at the center which some of the clubs did not participate
and i felt that was the time to. Other than that it was great.
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Ophelia Sanders — The open house was great, it's always good to see us come together, the activities
as far as Health Care and so forth to keep people aware of their health. The one thing I didn't see was
that all the activities were not presented. Whether the groups told what was happening. We were told
it was just open house. We weren't notified that we needed a representadve to come out and tell about
your group or something to be posted as far as all of the acdvities and groups offered.
Carlton Fuller — The open house was really nice, the part I loved about it was the line dancing. They
did a fascinating job.
Chair Lorene Reed — The open house turned out to be excellent. We had a good turn out. We had
Elda and La Familia volunte�r, they did an outstanding job. They saved us a lot of money with
chopping up the fruit. They were busy all day long cleaning. They worked hard that day. The open
house was a total success, everyone was notified and asked to represent their club. There was a table
on the patio for all clubs. Only the card and bingo club showed up. This was an opportunity to
promote your club.
2. Valley View Casino
Chair Lorene Reed — We had fifty seniors who went on the trip. We had some winners. We had an
excellent buffet. The food was outstanding. Our next trip is in June to Pala Casino. I don't have a date
yet. Jeanne Mims is going to host us on this trip. In August we will be going to Laughlin and we want
to do a two-day trip. I want to plan it far enough out so you can get ready for Laughlin.
Staff Report-Marisa Cordova:
Activities/Partici ants April
Bingo 21g
Computer/Library 33
Exercise Room 160
Health 8i Fitness 186
Meals Pragram gg
Line Dancing 61
Card Club 140
Activitie.s:
1. Cinco de Mayo Celebration — Thursday, May 5, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fee: $5.00
includes meal and entertainment. There will be a salsa making contest.
2. Lien Stringfield Farewell Potluck — Wednesday, May 11, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
3. Adult Education Meeting — Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 12:00 p.m, to 2:OQ p.m. at the adult
education building.
4. Mother's Day Luncheon — Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., free for all
mothers — please register at the front desk.
Board Orals:
Barbara Battle — One thing I want to add, we are a multi language community. We want to understand each
other. The only way we can do that is that we make sure that if we have to translate then we have to
translate. That is the way we are being inclusive as opposecl to exclusive. It is important to keep in mind and
be patient when we are going from one language to the other because that is our community and we are
blessed with that kind of community. Perhaps some of the problems will be resolved when the new
structure of this committee is formed. In the mean time, I was here during the month of April every
Wednesciay for everybody that wanted to say whatever ihey wanted to say, complain or whatever concern
you may have had and will be until we restructure the committee. I will continue to come on Wednesday.
Find me, I will do whatever needs to be done to try and help you get whatever concern you have addressed.
Please remember that we all want everyone to enjoy this center.
Chair Larene Reed — The Senior Advisory Committee as it stand,� with five woman members that sit here
was disbanded and that is probably why they diddt show up here. The Senior Council as it stands will no
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]onger be. This will probably be the last meeting, they were checking with the City Clerk. I'm so glad that
you came out. If you have any suggestions on how the new group should be configured, please let Marisa
know because you should be able to choose your leaders. You choose who you want to represent you at this
center.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m.
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