To the Editor:

Ms Aurelia’s call for the resignation of Commission on Aging (COA) Chairman Curt Symes [“Time For Leadership Change On Commission on Aging”, Letter Hive, April 24, 2015] includes a number of inaccuracies and conveniently leaves out facts that provide a more balanced view.

To correct inaccuracies, all  commissioners were invited to the special meeting on April 11, 2015. Not all were able to attend because of travel or other issues, but they informed the COA of their planned absence. The meeting agenda included public participation. Four, not six, commissioners have resigned during Mr Symes’ tenure. All resigned for various reasons, including one who lived in Florida half the year, one who resigned for “personal reasons,” another whose resignation letter did not state a specific reason, and, Ms Aurelia herself, who resigned shortly after she lost her post as treasurer. Commissioner Larry Schneider was nominated as treasurer and provided clear and useful reports. His excellent service as treasurer was short lived due to illness and his passing away.

Here are other facts that Ms Aurelia failed to mention. During Mr Symes’ COA tenure, the Commission on Aging has accomplished the following: 1) The Senior Center acquired a gently used bus at an excellent price to replace the rusty, unsafe vehicle it was using. Mr Symes lent his engineering expertise and even rode up to Hartford to check on the bus, which the Senior Center is using today and which has been pressed into use by the town when needed. 2) The COA worked with Senior Center Director Marilyn Place to organize a Senior Center Open House for the community. 3) The COA worked with Ms. Place and Municipal Agent Ann Puccini to develop Newtown’s first-ever Senior Resources Guide with useful information about local resources that are of interest to seniors. 4) The COA staffed an information and outreach table for two consecutive years at both the Library Book Sale and the Cultural Arts Festival. As a result of our outreach, the Senior Center’s dance class performed at the Cultural Arts Festival last year. These outreach efforts will continue in 2015 with the Newtown Duck Race being added to the roster. 5) Mr Symes has been instrumental in reaching out to other senior-focused organizations, including Nunnawauk Meadows, to include them in these outreach efforts. 6) As part of its mission to study the needs of senior residents, the COA developed and executed the COA’s first-ever Senior Survey. The information is being used to develop programs that meet the needs of senior residents. 7) Also as part of its mission, the COA sought and won its first-ever grant for classes at the Senior Center.

It’s understandable that change brings about resistance and sometimes animosity, but the facts speak for themselves. During Mr Symes tenure, the COA has focused on its mission and has achieved numerous “firsts” which will ultimately benefit Newtown residents age 60-plus.

Sheila E. Torres

Vice-Chair, Commission on Aging

10 Phyllis Lane, Newtown                May 13, 2015