I want to thank the Bristol Phoenix for offering a more balanced view of recent events at the Bristol Senior Center. As a contract grant writer for many nonprofits, including the 501c3 Benjamin Church Senior Center Inc., I have been particularly interested.

I am also of an age (55) where I could be a member of the Bristol Senior Center, as are a large segment of Bristol citizens. According to the R.I. Healthy Aging Profile (Tufts Foundation), 24.8 percent of Bristol’s population is age 60 or older, higher than the state average. Rhode Island itself has among the highest number of seniors in the nation, and we are expected to add another 100,000 seniors to the population by 2030 (U.S. Census).

This is why I find it disturbing that current town authorities have not consulted with Bristol’s seniors recently or gone to the seniors throughout the town to gauge their needs and interests. How can the town adequately plan without first engaging the target population?

It should also be noted that in the 2014-15 Bristol Comprehensive Plan (and also the 2006 Comprehensive Plan), “Senior Center Future Needs” were considered, knowing that the population was increasing.

I would ask that the well-being and dignity of our seniors be the top priority, as I feel it always was under Maria Ursini’s tenure as senior center director. It is insulting to Bristol’s seniors to not include them in planning and decision-making.

Please everyone, visit the Bristol Senior Center and see all that it has to offer. It has passionate and caring staff (past and present), volunteers and members upon which to grow. We need to all take note moving forward. I also hope that people who are senior citizens, count seniors among their family, or intend to become seniors — consider recent and upcoming actions during our next election. 

Dyan Vaughan

98 DeWolf Ave., Bristol