New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. meets with community leaders and members of the South East Bronx Community Organization’s (SEBCO) Erma Cava House II on his tour of community-based organizations in the Bronx on Friday, May 2, 2008. Pictured (l to r) are: Thompson and Peter Cantillo, President, SEBCO.  Photo credit: Marla S. Maritzer

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. visited three senior centers in the Bronx on May 2nd 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 included the Erma Cava House II, the Douglas Leon Senior Center, and the E Robert’s Moore Senior Center, all located in the South Bronx.

“I will continue to fight for the rights of our seniors on a daily basis.  I believe that any cuts to senior services without sufficient community input is a terrible mistake,” Thompson said.  “In addition, it gives me great pleasure to recognize those dedicated individuals who have excelled in enhancing the lives of our senior citizens.”

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.

The following individuals were singled out for their service and dedication to the betterment of the Center:

1. Erma Cava House II – Carlos Quintero and Maria Jackson
2. E Robert’s Moore Senior Center – Canturience Arroyo and Gladys Eschevarria
3. Douglas Leon Senior Center – Carmen Cintron and Lorena Vasquez

Comptroller Thompson has been a strong advocate for the rights of seniors, and in recent weeks has stood with hundreds of senior citizens 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,” Thompson said.

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