"Proud to be an American!"
Buttermilk Falls
In the Town of Long Lake, NY
Letter to the editor Hamilton County News
Dear Editor,
I read the recent article, Project identifies troubling trends in Adirondacks, with interest. Unfortunately, the research only confirms what many of us have known for some time. As a candidate for Town Supervisor in the upcoming election, I’d like to share my thoughts and the concerns I’ve heard from fellow citizens over the past several weeks regarding our seniors.
Some of our seniors have already been forced to make a decision between staying in their home year round, moving in with or closer to relatives, moving to a nursing home, or moving to a warmer climate during the winter months because they can no longer maintain their home during the winter. Others are facing this dilemma now while still others will be doing so in the near future. The vast majority of them would prefer to stay here in their community, the community that many of them grew up in, worked in, raised their family in and lived in for most of their lives.
One solution for our community is to begin planning now to create senior housing with a senior center. I believe Long Lake can accomplish this with little to no increase in taxes. Recently the town received the very generous gift of a waterfront residence on Lake Eaton. It is my understanding that the town must retain possession of this residence for a limited time. Once that time has expired, the town should sell that waterfront residence and dedicate the monies to senior housing and programs. Obviously this solution will take some time to implement. However, planning should begin now so action can be taken as soon as the Lake Eaton property can be sold.
Our seniors should be included in this planning process. I believe this can best be accomplished by establishing a committee comprised of seniors, other interested residents, board members and the supervisor to begin planning this project, as well as addressing other senior needs. As a community, we are capable of caring for our own. The problems our seniors now face are not insurmountable. Collectively, with proper and efficient management, we can solve them.
Sincerely,
Clark J. Seaman
Long Lake
Phone: 624-3894