SENIOR CITIZENS TAX VOTE TUESDAY

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Jack Slaughter says he is optimistic about the chances of Cape County voters approving a 5-cent property tax levy to help fund programs for senior citizens Tuesday.

"I just can't understand why anybody wouldn't want to invest $5 to help so many people," Slaughter remarked Friday. "This is a real opportunity for us to help meet some important needs."

Slaughter, who has been active in several organizations for senior citizens, has been working for passage of the tax as part of the Senior Citizens Service Tax Committee.

"I know people are fed up with taxes, and I know that will have some effect on how people vote, but I think if they really honestly understood what it is designed for and how little it would cost, I don't think anybody could not vote for it," he said.

Another member of the committee, Cecilia Sonderman, pointed out that a 5-cent property tax levy would cost someone with a home valued at $60,000 just $5.70 a year; on a $40,000 home, the cost per year would be just $3.80.

"It's good, cheap insurance," declared Sonderman. "I think if voters could see some of these people and what some of these services mean to them and how grateful they are, they would have to vote for this tax. I don't think they could do otherwise."

Proponents of the tax say the approximately $220,000 that would be generated could help expand senior citizen nutrition programs, transportation services, and other programs that are designed to enable elderly people to remain in their homes or in the homes of relatives.

Sonderman noted that the cost of nursing homes makes it desirable for an elderly person to live at home as long as possible and this tax could help fund agencies that provide this kind of assistance.

"People who can stay in their own homes are not only happier, but it is much cheaper," said Sonderman.

Another problem is that nutrition centers are located in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and offer some deliveries of meals to shut-ins within those cities, but such services are very limited in rural areas. Transportation services for senior citizens in rural areas are also severely limited.

"I think this is one of the most worthwhile causes people will ever vote on," said Sonderman. "They have their parents or grandparents who need the services, or this will be putting a program in place for the next generation of senior citizens to use.

"It's not easy getting old. You get old a lot quicker than you think."

According to a state law passed three years ago allowing counties to vote on a senior services tax, the funds can be used to fund programs for citizens age 60 and over. Funds cannot be used for buildings or entertainment, only for programs.

If the tax measure passes, the county commission would appoint a seven-member board to oversee the use of the funds, and any of the 20 agencies in Cape County that provide services to the elderly could apply for funding.

It would be up to the board to establish priorities for how the funds would be used.

Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep said when the commissioners agreed to put the tax issue before voters earlier this year, they urged supporters to present the facts to the people so they could make an informed decision.

Huckstep noted that if voters approve the tax, this will provide a new source of revenue to fund programs for elderly residents.

"If this passes, the commission will make every effort to appoint a dedicated board to make sure this money is allocated wisely and in a way to assist as many people as possible," promised Huckstep.

Sonderman explained that there are transit services, nutrition centers, hospitals providing home health services, and other programs that could be improved and expanded if more money was available.

"The whole idea of this tax will be to expand programs to meet needs that are not now being met," said Sonderman. "Sometimes we don't even have a way to deliver meals right here in Cape."

Slaughter pointed out that at nutrition centers in Cape and Jackson, those who come to noon meals are asked to make a donation for the meal. In Cape Girardeau, it is $1.50 a meal. Even if the tax passes, the nutrition center will still seek contributions from those who eat there, he noted.

Slaughter added that another important part of the nutrition centers is that they provide an opportunity for fellowship and some social activities.

Rupert Fiehler, another member of the committee and the president of the Jackson Senior Center, said his group is anxious to find a way to serve shut-ins and meet the unmet needs in rural parts of the county.

"Overall, this will be a lot of help to elderly people who can't get out," said Fiehler. "Except for the paid cooks, all of our work has to be done by volunteers. If we get more money, then we can have ways to deliver more meals."

Slaughter explained that the volunteers delivering meals from the nutrition centers are elderly. "We are old people helping old people, and that is a problem in winter weather or bad weather," he observed. "It is difficult for the older people as it is now. With some additional funds, we could possibly hire student groups or some people to help deliver meals, and we could extend our delivery outside of Cape.

"There are a jillion things we could use that money for."

Like Fiehler, Slaughter stressed that even if this tax passes, elderly volunteers will still be essential. "There is just no way we could carry on our work down here without volunteers," said Slaughter.

Fiehler stressed that senior citizens need to get out and vote on Tuesday to help this issue pass; but also young people need to look ahead to the time when they will need these services. "It's not just for us, it's for them later on too," said Fiehler.

"Some younger people we talk to say they will gladly vote yes for grandma and grandpa," said Fiehler. "For what is not a big cost, we will be able to provide a lot of help to senior citizens who can't get out anymore."