Editor:
    [In response to a letter “Let’s use common sense here” in the May 30 Leader]
    Mr. Googins, I could not agree with you more, this is definitely not the time to be adding to the tax burden of anyone with the economy as it is, especially our seniors. Who like you and me who are on fixed incomes or even worse, those seniors who every day must decide, “will it be food or fuel or meds today?”
     I guess it was my fault the way I left things unexplained (in my recent letter to the editor), when I was appointed co-chairman of the “Senior Study Committee” four years ago, which is no longer in order and not knowing much about things all senior or senior centers. I felt I had better do some research which has turned into almost a full time job, but I do enjoy it and it is for our seniors. I have visited many senior centers in Maine and Massachusetts and I have on going correspondence with senior centers all over the United States. With the National Council on Aging and the National Institute of Senior Centers, I have found by working with these people that there are many, many ways to have a senior center without putting a tax burden on any one.
    Senior centers can be obtained through charitable foundations. You have one in Jackman, which is a converted hotel/restaurant, one by the same foundation in Bangor, which is a converted bank. Many senior centers have started out in old large houses; (Danvers, Mass.), old schools (Salem, Mass.) storefronts, donated buildings or low rent or lease warehouses. Most of the operating cost in senior centers is met by the renting of their hall, kitchen for weddings, graduations, retirement parties, etc.
    They run bingo night’s, poker nights, have dances, one center in Maryland rents a part of their parking lot from April to October for flea markets. They supply nothing, but the space. They have been doing this for years. It is so lucrative. The way to obtain a senior center is only limited to those who want to get out there and pound the bricks. The benefits of having a senior center are proven not only to be a benefit to our senior population but to the community itself. Studies show that seniors who have a center to visit, eat better, I have menus that show for just a few dollars a day they can have a wonderful lunch, evening meals. They take better care of themselves, are more likely to be less depressed, have more pride in themselves, they go back to school again (computers, music, art) and they take part in their community.
    I apologize to anyone if they thought I was out to increase anyone’s taxes. I know I seem to be beating a dead horse every chance I get, but if I could only get our citizens to realize how a senior center could benefit both our seniors and the community. It is such a great feeling to visit a center, talk to the seniors, and hear how much the center means to them.
Bill Billings
Scarborough