Wintersville backs Prime Time

WINTERSVILLE - The Prime Time Office on Aging has the support of council.

Judy Owens, director of Prime Time, addressed council members Thursday night regarding the senior service levy on the May 6 ballot.

"This levy is very important to the senior citizens of Jefferson County," Owens began. "Prime Time was designated as the provider of senior services in the area and 10 years ago it was determined that we needed more funding. That is when the senior service levy went on the ballot. This will be the third time the levy is up for renewal."

The difference, Owens noted, is that there will be an increase in the levy.

"This is the first time in 10 years that we will ask for a 2/10th increase," she stated. "This will carry us into the next five years, especially with the increase in the price of gas and food plus the growing number of elderly in the community. Without this levy, it will be hard to provide services to our community.

"In 2013, we provided over 200,000 home delivered meals, 600-700 home delivered meals a day," she continued. "More than 50,000 congregate meals at different sites; 14,500 transportation trips to doctors, grocery stores, etc.; 322 units of legal services; and more than 400 exercise classes. We have had to trim down some of the alternate programs over the past 10 years to preserve the food and transportation programs. We currently have 200 people on the waiting list for home- delivered meals."

Council unanimously passed a motion to support the issue on the ballot.

Village resident David Cusick then addressed council regarding paving on Tera Manor.

"During the paving, my driveway was broken up," he stated. "I have talked to Walt Ziemba (village administrator) about this numerous times and I don't want the village to have to pay for this. I want Shelly & Sands to fix the mistake they made during paving. I would like an estimated date when this should be fixed since it has been 10 months since the incident. I have tried to contact Shelly & Sands and they will not speak with me, and they will not answer Walt."

Mayor Bob Gale told Cusick he would allow two more weeks for Shelly & Sands to fix the driveway.

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Wintersville backs Prime Time