May 2006 Vol. 25. No. 5

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Ferndale: Transportation, meals on wheels, now a part of daily life

Older Americans Month champions choices for independence

Area Agency on Aging: Try riding the bus now that gas prices are so high

New CSL reps are from Del Norte County

McKinleyville seniors

Fortuna senior activities: Wellness Lecture Series at Senior Dining Room

Play ball! Humboldt Classics Senior Softball wants you

Ombudsman services - you can change a life

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The Area 1 Agency on Aging's Advisory Council appointed two Del Norte County residents to the California Senior Legislature in April. Rick Bennett of Gasquet has been named Senior Senator-elect, and Sharon McKinney of Crescent City Senior Assemblywoman-elect. The two will represent both Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Current CSL representatives, Senior Senator Mary Dennison of Eureka and Senior Assemblywoman Gladys Madsen of Redway, will complete their terms in October when the new CSL members will be sworn into office.

Established in 1981, the CSL is a grassroots way of ensuring senior citizen input into the legislative process. CSL elections are coordinated by California's area agencies on aging. A non-partisan organization, the CSL is composed of 40 senators and 120 assembly members.

After their annual session, the members take the priorities they set to the regular legislature and seek authorship for new legislation. About 60-70 percent of the CSL's priority bills are later made into law. Examples are nursing home reform, the Ombudsman program and other health care, housing and transportation issues.

Orientation for new CSL members is scheduled to be held in Sacramento in the beginning of June. The CSL annual week-long session will be held in October in Sacramento.

The two new members' candidate statements follow, and they each welcome calls and e-mails from Humboldt and Del Norte seniors.

Rick Bennett

I am 77 years old. I was born in Berkeley, graduated from Berkeley High School and spent a year and a half in the Marine Corps (a maturing experience). I received a Bachelors Degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1950 and a Masters Degree in 1953.

I married Janet Smith and began teaching in Del Norte County in 1951. Janet and I had three children and together built a house in Crescent City. My years in education involved counseling and administration. Education at Stanford and Humboldt State University supplemented and made education advancements possible.

In 1973 I became the administrator for the new Del Norte Education Center of the College of the Redwoods. After 10 years I retired from education and served on the Del Norte Board of Supervisors. It was there that I first became acquainted with the activities and programs of the aged.

In 1987 Janet passed away after a long bout with cancer. Subsequently I moved to Gasquet and married my present wife, Dianne.

In 1990 I was elected to the board of the College of the Redwoods and continue to be on that board.

In 1999 I became a board member of the Area 1 Agency on Aging. I served on that board until my third term expired in September 2005. I have been a volunteer Citizen on Patrol for the Del Norte Sheriff's Department since 1998.

I am on the faculty of Humboldt State University, supervising student teachers in Del Norte. I also teach various classes for Southwestern Community College in Brookings, Ore.

Rick Bennett's phone is 457-3485, and his e-mail is bennett@sunstarcom.net.

As a candidate for a position in the California Senior Legislature, I bring experience drawn from actively participating in my community, both with other seniors and with volunteer placements. I have served on the RSVP/VCOR Advisory Council, the Del Norte Committee, and the Del Norte Senior Center board of directors. Among the awards I have been given are the Helping Hands award from Humboldt Senior Resource Center and the Senior Friend award from the A1AA. I have been volunteer of the year for the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteers in Police Service.

Some of best things about volunteering are the people I get to work with. Since my retirement from teaching I have become deeply involved in the problems and benefits of aging. Writing for Senior News and the 60+ column in the Times-Standard have given me the opportunity to encourage other seniors to get out and participate, to share their wisdom and experience, to find new ways to enjoy life, and give time and talent to their communities.

For the last nine years of my mother's life, from age 84 to her death at 93, I cared for her, both here in my home and in various facilities and hospitals. I know first-hand how much is needed to make life for the elderly a more respected and comfortable time. Because of this I have heard many sorrowful stories - and told a few, too.

I have a voice and I am a familiar figure in my community. The chance to gather information and see how to get action on that information is exciting to me. Spending time and exchanging stories with others from all over California is worthwhile, and I would be able to bring back hope that our tiny county way up here in the northwestern corner of California has a voice in Sacramento. As I talk to seniors, they tell me they feel the distance from the major population centers of our huge state and the perceived lack of attention from elected officials. Maybe I can fill in the blanks.