-Comptroller Highlights Issues Affecting the Senior Community and Presents Individuals with “Senior Service Awards” -

NYC Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. joins in greeting senior citizens at the Chinese Planning Council Nan Shan Senior Center in Flushing, Queens on April 21, 2008.  During the visit, Comptroller Thompson presented his “Senior Service Awards” and spoke to senior citizens about issues affecting the senior community, stressing that he will continue to resist any efforts to restructure senior centers and services without sufficient community input.

Photo Credit: Paul Brumlik

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. visited three senior centers in Queens on April 21 to discuss issues affecting the senior community, stressing that he will continue to resist any efforts to restructure senior centers and services without sufficient community input.  

The locations visited by the Comptroller and his staff included the Chinese Planning Council Nan Shan Senior Center, the Taiwan Center, and the Korean American Community Service at Flushing Senior Center – all of which are housed in Flushing.
 
At each center, the Comptroller presented “Senior Service Awards” to individuals recommended by the centers’ staff who have displayed traits and characteristics that work to help their fellow senior citizens and members of the community.
 
“This is a great opportunity to visit with our seniors and learn about specific issues that affect them and the city's senior centers and services.  Today we witnessed the range of activities and services provided each day to countless seniors across this city, and watched both recreational programs and food service delivery,” Thompson said.  “In addition, it gives me great pleasure to recognize those who have excelled in enhancing the lives of others.”

Thompson has been a strong advocate for the rights of senior citizens and in recent weeks has stood with hundreds of seniors to rally against the proposed restructuring of senior centers and services by the City Department for the Aging (DFTA).  You can read more about the Comptroller's concerns at www.comptroller.nyc.gov.
 
“The senior population is expected to increase 44% by the year 2030, so we need to act now to provide better services and additional programs, not the other way around,” Comptroller Thompson said.

###