Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Dear Todd County Commissioners Barb Becker, Tim Denny, Bob Byers, Lew Noska and Randy Neumann, Your role as a Todd County Commissioner can be very difficult, and the task is not easy when budgets are being squeezed. I understand the Todd County Coordinator on Aging position is being considered for elimination.

I strongly encourage you to reconsider!

Initially when the position was created with Dort Gere, then Anita Hartman, the Senior Coordinator focused on Senior Centers. As decades have passed, the position has evolved into being the community advocate and contact to grow services within the entire county…in all communities of Todd County.

This position is not a “Senior Coordinator” but instead a Todd County Advocate-Engager. Frankly...perhaps it should be rebranded to Todd County Community Coordinator!

In the past two decades Todd County has excelled this position to be the point of contact for:

• Financial grants and contracts. (Bringing dollars into Todd County, without the push and diligence of this one committed position, the dollars would have gone elsewhere: Hilltop Regional Kitchen in Eagle Bend. Funding applied for with South County Health Alliance.

• Broadband-internet expansion: community meetings to educate residents of ALL ages led by this position.

• TRIAD with Todd County Sheriff’s Department: Educate and help prevent fraud/scams.

• Age 55+ Affordable Housing: research/funding/education to create more affordable housing within Todd County, then opens up workforce housing. (Hilltop Square project, Eagle Bend)

• Partnerships with Central MN Council on Aging, Central MN Housing Partnership, Sourcewell, Lutheran Social Services and Horizon Health local programming/funding to Todd County.

• Legislative Bus Trips filled with age 60+ individuals to be your voice for Todd County.

• Annual volunteer recognition: 150+ Todd County adults giving their time/ talents to serve your county.

• Dementia Friendly: Education and training events. Almost 100 trained Dementia Friends within Todd County.

• Building caregiver resources and programs.

• Regular KEYL radio, Open Mike, to share happenings within Todd County and provide education.

• Blandin Foundation training for grant writing (including city leaders within county).

• Developing Facebook page to provide updates, social media outreach, all ages interested in Active Aging.

Seriously? Is this really worth eliminating this $35,000 a year part-time position? The voice for the most dominant population in Todd County? I think not!

Doing what is right...is keeping this position for Todd County!

Sincerely,

Sharon Notch

M.S. Gerontology, Minor

Gerontology, B.E.S.

Community Psychology

Eagle Bend