September 2007 Vol. 26. No. 9

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.

New Alzheimer’s Center
Did California speak?
Senior Fraud Alert
Driver Safety fall schedule
Think About It, Show up, make a difference
Unsung heroes: Senior employees appreciated
Ferndale: Bocce court is shaping up

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Think About It
Show up, make a difference
by Sharon McKinney

If you are reading this, then you must qualify as a senior or a person interested in senior issues.

My latest issue is the apathy I experience from our age group regarding community and political concerns. Our country has huge problems that we cannot possibly solve individually, but we can do small acts that make a difference in our neighborhoods and communities.

There are so many of us now that if we got together and showed up at city council meetings, board of supervisors meetings, planning commissions and other public lawmaking bodies, we could change what is happening. If we voted as a group, we could have the changes that would influence the coming generations.

Why are so many of us sitting at home wishing things could be like they were in the past, or wishing George would take care of it, when we have the experience and the power to get out and make a difference?

Last November I went around gathering support for safety improvements for a dangerous intersection used by seniors and handicapped people. People agreed that safety was a problem there because of the lack of crosswalks and the speeding. Lots of people said, sure, they would come to the city council meeting to chime in with their concerns. I put up fliers announcing the time and place of the meeting and that the Front and H Street intersection would be on the agenda.

Well, guess who showed up? Me. I presented the concern and the council voted unanimously to institute changes immediately. As of this writing, there are no improvements. I’m wondering how the outcome might have been different if a crowd of interested seniors had been there.

I told the city council that if they wanted Crescent City to be senior friendly, then they needed to create safe streets. Meeting notices are posted regularly. Phone numbers are easy to find. Showing up is a mighty step forward.

Get busy taking care of our community. It’s time to act. Remember a little Sunday School song, “Brighten the corner where you are!”

Sharon McKinney lives in Crescent City and volunteers at the Del Norte Senior Center and for Senior News. Her e-mail is shay-jay@charter.net.