Services for seniors in Ogle County in limbo: Some fear centers 
may close

Talk of consolidating Ogle County senior center services to save money, an idea broached at a recent meeting of the Ogle County Board’s Health, Education, Welfare and Solid Waste Committee meeting, has generated concern.

The committee will revisit the topic at its meeting this afternoon, where it will take inventory of the services offered at senior centers in Polo, Mount Morris, Byron and Oregon and consider ways to streamline services and reduce duplication.

Consolidating services is the only topic on the agenda, committee Chairman Jason Bauer said Monday.

“We figured that this was a good time,” Bauer said.

It will allow the committee to be ready for its annual budget hearing, which usually occurs in August or September, and will allow the 20 or so organizations funded through the county board’s senior citizen levy to state their case.

The community only learned of the committee’s proposal from its Jan. 12 minutes, Polo Senior Center Board President Richard Jacks said, and something was lost in translation.

Worries that senior centers in Mount Morris and Polo would be consolidated and relocated to Oregon have festered.

“It’s really unclear what they want to do,” Jacks said. “Some of the people really have their hackles up.”

The Polo Senior Center serves about 200 people. In addition to serving seniors, the center also serves the larger community. For example, the Masons and Lions meet there.

“It’s going to affect an awful lot of people,” Jacks said.

Mount Morris Senior Citizens Center serves about 400 people, Executive Director Brenda Hayden said. Its services include health clinics, fitness programs, meal delivery and Circuit Breaker assistance.

She’s concerned that consolidation of services could include closing senior centers.

“I’m very concerned – every community wants their own center,” Hayden said.

Her center is a focal point in the community, she said, noting that Pinecrest Village and Mount Morris residents participate in center activities.

It can be difficult for senior citizens to “get out of their comfort zone,” she said, adding that she plans to attend the meeting armed with testimonials.

“We’re going to go and state our case.”

To attend