HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-04-2006-6aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 4, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No. 6 _ Q
SUBJECT: Older Americans Month and Senior Center Week
DEPARTMENT: Aging & Advisory Board PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
on Aging
ATTACHMENT(S):
Older Americans Month Proclamation
Senior Center Week Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jerry Passmore, 245-2009
.Jack Chestnut, Chair, Advisory Board on
Aging
PURPOSE: To join federal and state governments in designating the month of May as Older
Americans Month, a time to honor older citizens for their contributions to society; and also to
designate week of May 14 through May 20 as Senior Center Week in Orange County to
recognize local senior centers as focal points for providing opportunities and services to older
citizens.
BACKGROUND: For a number of years, the Orange County Commissioners have issued
proclamations for Older Americans Month and Senior Center Week. In 2006, there are over
18,000 Orange County residents who are sixty years of age and older, and 1,600 residents who
are over eighty-five years old. The theme for Older Americans Month is "Choices of
Independence" and Senior Center Week's theme is "Senior Centers: Our Community
Investment". Special events are planned for the month that include Senior Day at University
Mall, Senior Speak Out Forums and a writing contest. A full listing of special offerings are in the
May-June issue of the Senior Times Newspaper.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the
proclamations.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the
proclamations designating May as Older Americans Month and May 14 through May 20 as
Senior Center Week in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamations.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
OLDER AMFRICANS MONTH
WHEREAS, According to the latest population figures, there are more
than 18,000 persons over 60 years of age in Orange County
in 2006 and growing faster than any population sector; and,
WHEREAS, The President of the United States and the Governor of
North Carolina have declared May as Older Americans
Month; and,
WHEREAS, Orange County is proud of the older adults who live here
and wishes to show appreciation for what they contribute
to their County, State and Nation; and,
WHEREAS, All Orange County residents enjoy the fruits of older
persons and their labors and are inspired to continue to
make Orange County a good place in which to live; and,
WHEREAS, The theme for Older Americans Month is "Choices of
Independence" to recognize older Americans who are living
longer, healthier, and more productive lives and the need to
have choices for living independently for as long as
possible; and,
WHEREAS, Orange County also wishes to set aside a special month for
recognition of the older segment of its citizenry;
NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Orange County Board of Commissioners,,join
the Governor of North Carolina and the President of the
United States in PROCLAIMING May, 2006 as
OI,DF,R AMERICANS MONTH
AND, further, do encourage all residents to join us in honoring our older Americans.
Barry.lacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
SENIOR CENTER WEEK
WHEREAS, Local communities support over 15,000 Senior Centers
across the United States, serving close to 10 million older
adults annually; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has recognized the importance of Senior
Centers and has provided leadership in the development
and operations of such facilities in the County through its
Department on Aging; and,
WHEREAS, Senior Centers affirm the dignity, self-worth and
independence of older persons by facilitating their
decisions and knowledge, and enabling their continued
contribution to the community; and,
WHEREAS, Encouraged and supported by the Older Arnericans Act,
Senior Centers function as service delivery focal points,
help older persons to help themselves and each other,
and offer opportunities to become physically active,
mentally challenged, emotionally supported and socially
involved; and,
WHEREAS, The month of May has historically been proclaimed
Older Americans Month, and communities across the
country are giving special recognition to older persons
and the role of Senior Centers in serving them; and,
WHEREAS, This yeaz's Senior Center Week theme is "Senior Centers:
Our Community Investment";
NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
PROCLAIM the week of May 14 tluough May 20, 2006 as
SF,NIOR CF,NTER WF,EK
AND, further, do call upon the people of Orange County to honor older Americans
and the Senior Centers that bring together activities and services to their benefit,
Barry.lacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners