OCR Text |
Show free not for sale salt lake Wf volume one may 11, 1972 number thirty eight -- Last month, said Bryant, by President Nixon will send $500,000 to Utah in 1973 for a nutrition program, but that the graduating VISTA class in Denver had three members over the age funds can also be used for of 60. Foster Grandparents transportation oosts in getting the elderly to the places where meals will be prepared. Another need, cited White, is for a greater commitment from leaders in government, industry, and social agencies that will apathy and indifference to honest concern on the part of the leaders of Utah, but that more concern is needed. "The commitments should be in the form of action not words." Senior citizens, said White, Governor Calvin L. Rampton addresses Utah White House Conference on Aging. Utah White House Conference On Aging Emphasizes Action by Kirk Terry ''Action'' was the theme and watchword as some 530 senior citizens gathered at the Century 21 Theater for the morning general session of the Utah White House Conference on Aging. The elderly citizens heard speeches from Governor Calvin L. Rampton and senior citizen program and agency directors. The Conference was a event on Thursday, May 4. day-lon- g Governor Rampton welcomed the elderly citizens to the Conference and explained to the assembly the recent proposed amendment he sent to the the tax burden on older homes would be Legislature in which practices were changed. In that amendment, agricultural land is taxed for its farming worth rather than at higher tax levels because, for instance, a housing development is contracted near by and the zoning is changed. Rampton said he is pleased with the favorable response the new amendment has received because it needs 23 vote of the Legislature in order to be put on the ballot. The Govenor said that current taxing procedures under the present State constitution are "actually taxing some people out of their homes." He asked for the Conference's endorsement of the proposed amendment. Melvin A. White, Ph.D., proposed taxing amendment would limit property taxing to the assessed worth of the home only - not the future or potenial director of the Utah Division of Aging said that because of the studies done by the Utah Division on Aging, from private studies, and other public agencies, the needs of Utah senior citizens have been identified. White said the Division can also project what the future needs of senior citizens might be in 10 or 20 years. He commended the assembly and those who have participated in programs that are now worth of the property. operating. There are good lightened. that example of the inequities in taxing is when an older home, first built in a He said an area, is taxed more because the property is now commercial. zoned or The Governor said that the residential This amendment, he said, is similiar to the Greenbelt Amendment voted on by Utah residents and passed in 1970 in which agricultural land taxing programs in the area of health, some in housing and leisure time activities, he said. Dr. White outlined for the assembly, projects and activities that yet have to be accomplished. First, he said, there given the opportunities to serve in various capacities making their lives more meaningful, regardless of age, in their ability to serve themselves and their community. The aged should be given the region with two Foster Grandpaient programs. RSVP- - Retired Senior position of guiding the youth, he said, instead of sometimes having Volunteer Program - These volunteers, unlike Foster to join a youth oriented society. Experience, he said, is a valuable tool that needs to be exploited. Grandparents, said Bryant, are those who don't qualify under the minimal income levels. The is a greater need for coordination and integration of services for the elderly. He said there is need for reviewing the situations in which the elderly are put into hospitals or rest homes when in fact the senior citizen would rather stay in his own home. "We need to bring to bear the resources of the health agencies, the housing services, individual programs and many other of the organizations and services in our community, to enable those of us who desire to remain in our own homes to do so as long as we desire." Secondly, White said, there is action in the state, as well as nationwide, to eliminate those services that aren't needed. A program is embarking, he said, on level in which the regional-stat- e an adequate size staff in those regions of the state will be concentrating on those particular needs of senior citizens that are different from region to region within the state. The State Division of Aging, White said, is receiving this coming year far more funds than have ever be -- Bryant said this program is the only one in which the volunteers are paid. They receive $1.60 per hour up to 20 hours per week. The volunteers must qualify with an income of $2000 per annum or $2600 a couple per annum. Foster Grandparents act as such for children from mental health insitutions, hospitals, juvenile court, etc. Bryant said legislation will be providing for the expansion of the program to include Foster Grandparents working with other elderly people. There are two Foster Grandparents programs in Utah, he said, one in Salt Lake City, and the other in Utah County. Bryant said Utah is the only state in the insure all of the needs of senior citizens are met. White said he has seen changes in the leaders from should also a been received to concentrated on those specific problem areas. White told the Conference that Congressional action signed i . - Mayor Jake Garn presents award Mignon Richmond '1972 Outstanding r I Uii'l M a r Senior Citizen." y P ! ' ' a r f ip'""- i iLJ Ted Bryant, Regional Director of ACTION outlined the make-uof that new federal agency. ACTION, said Bryant, was created out of a Presidential move last year and combined seven existing volunteer programs and agencies under one roof. The combined agencies and programs p only area in the region with this new sub project, said Bryant, is Bismarck.North Dakota. He said that legislation and funding has permitted Utah to be chosen to also develop this program within the region. are: Peace Corps An The Utah White House international program of social services and aid. Bryant said senior citizens are active in this international effort. Conference on Aging raised their voices in community singing and filled the theater with some old favorites. Enthusiasm was high at VISTA - - Volunteers in Service to America - A domestic social services and aid program. the meetings and a strong feeling of accomplishment was expressed by many who attended. |