Why does good writing and research go unpublished in Estes Park's mainstream media?

Senior Center Building Lease

Why should the town of Estes Park lease the building located on
Fourth Street to the Estes Park Senior Services Center (EPSSC), a 
501(c) 3 non-profit?  When the multigenerational space designated
for seniors at the Community Center becomes operational (estimated
by February 2018), there are no plans to have daily hot lunches 
served.  Seniors who have eaten a hot lunch served daily at the 
center in the past will no longer be able to do so.

These were healthful meals served in a comfortable, warm and friendly
dining room atmosphere. It was conducive to socializing, which 
nourishes one's being as well as one's body. Seniors paid a reasonable
price for lunch.

The EPSSC non-profit expects to pay all costs (maintenance, utilities
and operations)if the town leases the building to them.  They plan 
to provide the daily lunches. The center could continue some of the 
current quiet recreational activities that exist now.  With the 
multipurpose use at the Community Center and the lease of the current
Senior Center building to the EPSSC, the seniors will not have 
services taken away, and it will not cost the town or the Estes Valley
Recreation and Park District (EVRPD)any more money than has already 
been designated for seniors at the Community Center. There is no 
conflict here.  Seniors would use both facilities as appropriate for 
their needs.

It’s my understanding that the town spent $300,000 per year in the 
past to provide the Senior Center building for senior use.  Two town 
employees worked at the center.  Not having these expenses surely
is of benefit to the Town.  It’s also my understanding Mr. F.O. 
Stanley gave the Fourth Street property as part of other property 
to the town of Estes Park with the condition that it be used for 
recreational purposes.   

The EPSSC non-profit raised a significant amount of money used to 
build the Senior Center building.  They have been in compliance 
with the legal use of the building.  The town of Estes Park board 
of trustees will discuss leasing the building on Fourth Street
at their study session on January 23, 2018.  No public comment is 
taken at study sessions.

The town board would need to announce a meeting to take place after 
that to approve the lease of the building.  Regular meetings allow 
public comment.

Address letters to Mayor Todd Jirsa and the board of trustees and 
send by e-mail to: townclerk@estes.org or deliver to the Town 
Clerk’s office at 170 MacGregor Avenue, Estes Park, CO or mail to: 
Town Clerk, Town of Estes Park, P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517.

If you want the Senior Center building on Fourth Street to be leased 
to the EPSSC nonprofit, please send your reasons to the Estes Park 
board of trustees before they meet on January 23, 2018, and again 
before any decision is made at their regular meeting on this issue.

Johanna Darden, Full-Time Senior Resident of Estes Park

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