Operations to remain same except food will be prepared in house
OCEAN CITY — The seniors were angry that day, my friends.
Over lunch Thursday, nearly 50 seniors let city and county officials know in no uncertain terms that they do not like change and they absolutely do not want to lose the two women who oversee programming at the senior center.
Ocean City Community Services Director Dan Kelchner visited the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center on Dec. 14 to inform those who frequent the facility that the city would be taking over from Cape May County, which had been directing programming and providing meals.
According to a handout, the city is “excited to provide new services and enhancements to the already exceptional program” at the center, which is inside the Ocean City Community Center.
Effective Feb. 1, the city will administer all programs. All existing meal, transportation and other services will remain the same.
One thing that will change is the food service. Meals had been provided by the county when it operated Crest Haven Nursing Home, but was privatized in August.
The city plans to hire a chef and prepare meals in the attached kitchen. The city also plans to improve transportation services and is seeking ideas for new activities, events and entertainment for participants.
Kelchner, who tried to address the gathering without using the microphone due to technical difficulties, asked if everyone could hear him and was met with a chorus of “No”s.
“We’re old, we can’t hear,” one woman said.
Continuing with a microphone, Kelchner said the city will be transitioning to take the leadership of the senior center.
“We will be administering programs and taking over the role previously held by the county,” he said, noting it was a collaborative effort.
Kelchner said the city wants to expand upon the good things that are happening at the senior center by incorporating it into the greater community center.
“Our vision here is to tie the senior center and what you are all doing here into the larger portfolio of programs and activities that we have here at the community center and in town,” Kelchner said. “This is something that is very, very important to myself, my department, the city and the city administration are very passionate about,” Kelchner said.
He said they were looking to solicit feedback from those who frequent the facility, and tried to quell the rumblings.
“The programs and services in place right now with fare free transportation, the meal programs that you have on a daily bais, none of that is changing,” he said. “If anything, we are looking to gradually expand on transportation and also will be expanding upon the meal program.”
Kelchner said city employee Maryann McElroy would be one of those taking over operations.
“I strongly encourage all of you to call, reach out to Maryann, with ideas to improve services. This is an opportunity to reach out and let us know. We want this to be an inclusive thing,” he said.
Cecilia Dugan asked if the center would continue to be open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. five days a week.
Kelchner said nothing will change regarding operating hours.
“Hours of operation will not change, the routines that you are used to, the times that you eat meals, none of that will change,” he said.
Jack Gillin wanted to know why the city is taking over.
“The primary thing … is that the honest opinion here is that we think with the city operating this there simply is a little bit more we can do in terms of different programs, different activities,” Kelchner said.
“That’s what you think, but what do we think?” Gillin said.
“That’s why we are asking for feedback,” Kelchner replied.
Eliciting applause, Gillin said “the best thing that every happened to this place” is the two women who run the programming.
“You’re going to bring in people that don’t know their you know what from third base running it,” he said.
Many in attendance lamented the loss of Claudia D’Onofrio and Sandra Polillo, who are county employees and will be reassigned to another facility.
The two women had reportedly told the participants about the planned changes the previous day.
Gillin also questioned the viability of preparing hot meals in the center’s attached kitchen.
“You’re going to have this many people and you think that you’re going to get the meals accomplished and done in half an hour the same as these two women do?”
“I’m fairly confident we can do it, sir,” Kelchner said.
One woman asked what the real reason was the city is taking over, suggesting financial motives.
Ron Simone, assistant business administrator for Cape May County, said that’s not the case.
“We adamantly support Ocean City taking over this facility and it has absolutely has nothing to do with money. They expressed interest and in doing so they may have more flexibility in expanding programs,” Simone said.
“You’re still not answering the question why,” Gillin interjected. “We’re happy with the way that it is and now you are going to change and you’re getting rid of the best people that we have here.”
Gillin accused the city of planning the changes in secret and not informing the facility’s user, to which Kelchner replied that was the point of the meeting.
One woman asked about the fee for meals, noting some people are on a fixed income.
Kelchner said the fee will not increase and may be eliminated.
“One of the things we are able to do is leverage federal and state funding outside what the county can do. One of the things we can do is go after meal service programs that will reimburse the city for meals served, which will give us the opportunity to provide higher quality food than you are getting now,” Kelchner said.
He said he would take one more question, with a caveat.
“I would like to continue to have this conversation in a respectable dialogue. I did not come here today to have a firing squad,” Kelchner said.
He said he knows change is difficult and encouraged feedback.
“One of the things our mayor wanted me to drive home to the group is that this is not about us, this is about soliciting input from all of you what you want to see,” Kelchner said. “No matter what it is in life, there is always room for improvement. If you think what we are doing now is good, give us ideas on things we can do to expand upon and help us to improve the experience not just for you all who are here but for the generations of seniors who are going to come through the center.”
Cheryl Gallagher of Ocean View rejected the idea of programs.
“You’re talking about implementing programs, but what makes you think these seniors are interested in other programs? We come here for friendship, camaraderie, to do what we want to do. If you implement programs, that’s not going to work. We’ve been regimented, we’ve been in school, we’ve worked. This is our time to relax, to have companionship. We’re not here to do this from 9 to 10, 10 to 11, 11 to 12. We come here because we like this the way it is, not to have that much change. How much do you think somebody in their 80s and 90s are looking for change?” Gallagher said.
“I encourage everyone to remain open-minded,” Kelchner said.
One woman asked about rumored renovations to the community center, asking how that would affect the senior center.
Kelchner said renovations do not always include demolition work, noting the plans call for new flooring and furniture.
“We are going to make sure that you as seniors in Ocean City get the best,” Kelchner said.
“We just want to try to make it better for everyone involved,” said Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian.
Feedback and suggestions for changes should be directed to mmcelroy@ocnu.us or via phone at (609) 399-6111, ext. 9280.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff