Posted by Local, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Mar 23, 2009 at 3:00 pm

"The report points out, among other things, that there is no bus stop near the Senior Center."

No bus stop?! What about VTA's 35 which stops at California and Escuela? Web Link Why hasn't the Senior Advisory Task Force had access to a VTA map? Perhaps they meant to write that there aren't enough 35 schedules during the day and evenings to support seniors instead of just commuters. That is entirely true. If there were more 35s going back and forth to the Palo Alto and Mountain View transit centers, then the seniors would be well served to the Center.

Dear Seniors:

Please start a letter writing and phone call campaign to the members of the City Council Web Link and VTA Board Web Link requesting more route 35 buses in the daytime and evenings. Thank you!

Posted by Daniel DeBolt, Mountain View Voice Staff Writer, on Mar 23, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Daniel DeBolt is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online

California and Escuela is nearly a quarter mile from the Senior Center. Many seniors can't walk that far and the simple inconvenience of it will be a deal-breaker for many others.

The task force addresses transportation problems for senior center users in their report on transportation, which starts on page 17:

Web Link

The point is many seniors can't walk far, can't drive and find VTA's outreach services very inconvenient as all the waiting can take three hours just for a trip to the grocery store.

Posted by Rene, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 23, 2009 at 5:50 pm

How do the seniors propose the City pays for their free transportation and having the center open on Saturday? The City is already facing a deficit for 09/10. Adding millions in service isn't going to help. I do agree that non-residents need to be charged a fee. This could help with the costs of running the center and its programs.

Posted by gdm, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Mar 24, 2009 at 10:58 am

I am a Senior Citizen. I find the attitude of the Senior Citizens expressed here to be quite selfish. First they didn't want to share the center with teens, and now they want free transportation to the center, which of course would have to be paid for by taking the money from other areas.

Posted by Local, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Mar 24, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Daniel,

The Senior Center is nowhere near a quarter mile from California and Escuela. It's more like 600 feet. Web Link

I'm sure there are a lot of seniors who can't walk 600 feet, but honestly, what proportion are we talking about?

Posted by Van Freidin, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Mar 24, 2009 at 2:21 pm

The I WANT LIST does not sound like the "Greatest Generation" that rebuilt this nation after the Depression and WW2. Who are these people?

Posted by oldschgrl, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Mar 24, 2009 at 2:25 pm

who are these people?

these are the people that worked their butts off to be able to enjoy

the Senior Center. Yes the list is probably beyond the City's means

but I bet this is the first time there has ever been a survey of what

"these people" want. I know what they really want - respect!

Posted by Andrew, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 24, 2009 at 4:38 pm

I can understand the preference for MV residents, but a free shuttle? Let's see, if they're already property owners, that means lower taxes from Prop 13? Plus suggested $2 lunches, $35 off swimming ($15 for 25 swims vs $50 for residents), I'm sure the list goes on.

How about, instead of discounting things in Mountain View by age, we discount for those in actual need?