To the editor:

On Aug. 7, Cass County residents will have an opportunity to vote on The Millage Renewal Proposition For Services To Older Citizens for the Cass County Council on Aging.

I encourage everyone to vote yes. The COA gets more than 50 percent of its operating budget from the millage. Critical services such as Meals on Wheels, adult day services, home care, wheelchair ramp construction, and out-of-county medical transportation are funded through millage revenues, supplemented by grants and donations from the community with volunteers donating more than 24,000 hours of service last year.

There were more than 17,000 visits by residents participating in activities and events that promoted active lifestyles and fitness. They attended adult learning courses, classes and workshops and participated in activities including music and art clubs, bingo and other games to help older adults maintain friendships and a sense of community. The newly opened Dowagiac site offers many of the same programs at a convenient location to residents in that area of the county.

As a COA board member, I can assure you our organization strives to be good stewards of the funds that we receive with more than 93 cents out of every dollar used for programs and services.

Nearly one in four Cass County residents is age 60 or older. Although COA services directly benefit seniors, they also impact the quality of life for all in Cass County. We are privileged to serve our county’s older adults.

This is a renewal, and does not increase taxes. Your yes vote to renew the millage will enable us to continue to provide the levels of programs and services that our seniors deserve.

Thomas Celie,

COA Millage Renewal

Committee Chair