Citizen's Academy #5

Haines City Adult Day Care is where we spent the evening for class #5.
For those of you saying, oh, can't go there, old people, I have to tell you, not what you'd expect. Very clean, nice, new, not what you'd think of as something you'd seen on an episode of Dateling 20/20.
Larry Skidmore, Director of Human Services, for the county was there, along with his great staff. We heard from
John Hopkinss with VA Benefits (something I never knew the county provided)
Ed Smith, director of Polk Health Care
Donna Kay, program manager for Adult Day Care
Hope Jones, director of Elderly Services
All were fantastic. I do have to say I forgot to write down the name of the young lady in charge of the Haines City facility. I'll have to come back and give her credit tomorrow.
But I did find out a very interesting fact, that seniors love to disco in Haines City. Now it seems in the Bartow facility they love to play a game called Truth or Crap. Gotta say, they have spunk!

But in all seriousness, when asked if the three operating day cares were enough, there's one in Lakeland too, the answer is no. We need two more just like the ones we have and that's today. With the increasing number of baby boomers and people living longer due to medical technology, we are lacking and will be deperately lacking in the future.
A new facility in Lake Wales, a critical area would cost $2.2 million to build. That's not to run with staff. With budget cuts, who knows where these programs will be funded from.

And my soapbox moment of the evening.
I have a suggestion, tell the state not to give CSX (a very profitable company) $491 million in grants for rail right of way and gifts to build a rail yard. Use that money to fix what you have. I hate to say this, but common sense would tell most government leaders, that CSX can only hold out for so long. Their stock holders expect them to grow, grants or no grants. Eventually, they will expand, with private funds and the world will still keep spinning.

All in all an informative evening. Once again my plug- everyone should sign up for a Citizen's Academy. You'll benefit.