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Senior center feels effects of politics in Central Point By BUFFY POLLOCK CENTRAL POINT - The blood pressure clinic may not be taking place, but it's not for a lack of seniors who could use a free check-up. The local senior center has been riddled over the past year with a constantly changing board of directors, regular resignations from angry volunteers and arguments about the future of the Food and Friends meal program. Internal problems also have resulted in a lack of activity at the center, and fewer seniors showing up for lunch. As many as 60 seniors have used the lunch program in years past, but numbers average fewer than 20 recently. Don Bruland, director of senior disabilities services for Rogue Valley Council of Governments (which operates Food and Friends) said about 18 meals are served on-site daily. Dick Halley, the City Council liaison to the senior center, said that number is closer to a half-dozen meals if kitchen help and occasional lunchtime entertainers are not counted. He said the Second Avenue facility is stuck in a pattern of "nothing going on" and site volunteers "grasping at straws" for structure. Halley also said food issues and poor treatment of people attempting to get activities going at the center has worsened the problem. Earlier this year, longtime site manager Ora Corliss resigned because of bad morale at the center. Her successor, Nikki McDowell, resigned for similar reasons just one week later. Corliss said the board has voted not to disclose any information on the center to the public and would refuse to reveal the board's future meeting times to avoid public and media scrutiny. Other board members also refused to comment on the center's troubles. In an effort to rejuvenate the center, a new board of directors was appointed early this month and Corliss agreed to be secretary to "help straighten things out." Shortly after being re-appointed, Vice Chairman Orin Bartholomew resigned after a meeting during which he claims Bruland was treated rudely by board members during discussion of ending their contract with Food and Friends. "I'm gonna miss it. It's a good thing for the community when it's run right and I like to see seniors happy, but I won't miss the politics," said Bartholomew, a five-year volunteer. Bruland, who said he was aware of some internal problems, said RVCOG is "interested in working with the center to make it as strong as possible for local seniors." He said 80-plus meals currently delivered daily to homebound clients would continue regardless of any decisions from the board. Halley said, while the meal program might not be the best option for the center, internal issues prevented progress in other areas. "They've got a few people on the board that are voting against everything they wanna do. Until they all can agree on some things and make decisions together they can't move forward. It's just kind of a mess." Corliss declined to comment regarding the center other than to say a potential site manager would be reviewed March 6. In other news, the City Council could soon review appraisals to the senior center in order to determine if the building will eventually be sold and services moved to a future community center. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.