Older Americans, town clerks honored at Town Board meeting

Story and Photos by Alice Gerard

The Grand Island Town Board issued proclamations, honoring both older Americans and town clerks during the May 1 meeting.

According to the town’s proclamation, May celebrates the contributions made by older Americans, along with the theme for this year’s national celebration, titled “Aging Unbound.” In addition, the contributions of the Grand Island Golden Age Center to older Americans to help them take charge of their safety, and to providing connections and opportunities for older adults to remain healthy, active and giving to others, were mentioned in the proclamation.

The proclamation was accepted by Golden Age Center Club members Joy Mesmer and Jan Yardley. Mesmer said recognizing older Americans means “that people can become aware of what older Americans can do and get rid of the stereotype of ‘they’re older, and they can’t do it.’ We can do a lot of things, as our senior center knows, because they have a wide variety of things for older Americans to do.”

Yardley said, “It allows us to be more of a presence. We are often forgotten and not seen. To be able to have parents and their children say, ‘These people are out here.’ We have a lot to share, even talking about our history. Children may read about it, but we lived through it. What we can share with our experiences is so much. We’re all focused on raising children, so we’re focused on the young ones. But let us not forget the older ones. We still have so much to offer.”

Jennifer Menter, recreation supervisor of the Grand Island Golden Age Center, said, “It gives everybody identity, and it gives everybody the chance to celebrate all the talents and ideas and contributions that everybody gives, a chance to celebrate all the individuality that each and everybody has. It’s just a great time to celebrate the uniqueness that everybody has, and appreciate all the talents we have out there and everything that everybody has to contribute.”

In addition, the Town Board issued a proclamation in honor of Professional Municipal Clerks Week. This year marks the 54th celebration of the week celebrating town clerks. Established in 1969, this initiative focuses on the contributions town clerks make to local government and to their communities.

In other news, the Grand Island Town Board:

√ Approved the hiring of seasonal and part-time employees for the Grand Island Recreation Department.

√ Approved the hiring of seasonal and part-time employees for the Grand Island Parks Department.

√ Approved a special use permit renewal for Northpoint Vantage to continue an in-home business making embroidery, silk screening, fabric and sports apparel.

√ Approved length of service awards for the Grand Island Fire Co.

√ Approved advertising for a full-time parks maintenance worker II Position by the vote of 4-1, with Councilman Mike Madigan voting no.

√ Approved a fee of $5 for postage costs for passport renewals. The Town Clerk’s office noted an increase in postage costs as a reason for this fee increase.

The Grand Island Town Board recognized the contributions of Town Clerk Pattie Frentzel and deputy town clerks Karen Cooney, Betty Lantz, Deana Richard, Kristin Ochs and Wendy Valint in honor of Professional Municipal Clerks Week.

The Grand Island Town Board presented a certificate recognizing Older Americans Month to Golden Age Club officers Joy Mesmer and Jan Yardley.

Grand Island Golden Age Center members enjoy a kayaking trip in Woods Creek on April 26. For more information about kayaking and other Golden Age Center events, call the Golden Age Center at 716-773-9682.