AN OPEN MESSAGE TO ALL CENTURY VILLAGE RESIDENTS

Stew Richland

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

A few years ago, when the JCC was still operating their facility on Community Drive, they offered a marvelous compassionate plan for the elderly population here in Century Village.  This plan offered residents the opportunity to be transported to their facility, offered lunch, entertainment, companionship, and allowed to take home the left-over food.  All this for FREE.  Many of these residents were living close to the vest, their only income was their monthly Social Security check.

Many of these residents were what you would call “early settlers” to our Village.  They travelled from far and wide, answering the call “come on down, start your retirement, enjoy the good life.”  Sadly, “man plans and God laughs.”  At the beginning life was good.  However, you never know whose tomorrow it is.  A spouse dies.  Illness changes everything.  Pensions end, and Social Security payments are frozen.  Life changes dramatically.  WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THE SAME AX FALLING ON US AND CHANGING OUR LIVES.

All the JCC did by this humanitarian gesture is bring a bit of sunshine into their lives of these “shut ins” and the program was just once a week.

When the JCC contract in their facility ran out, the organization moved to a new location in Boynton Beach.  These generous souls did not want to end their program and offered UCO and Century Village a program in which they would continue serving the needs of our less fortunate residents by sending a food mobile to the Village and set up the party room, serve the food, provide entertainment and then, CLEAN UP THE ROOM, at no cost to UCO or Century Village.  Wow!  What a deal.  Food, entertainment all for free.

This program was for Century Village residents only.  Never, yes never, was this program ever to be extended to any OUTSIDE GROUP, INDIGENT PERSONS, OR THE HOMELESS.  THIS PROGRAM WAS EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR CENTURY VILLAGE RESIDENTS ONLY.  EVERY PERSON ON THE COMMITTEE KNEW AND UNDERSTOOD THE PARAMETERS OF THE JCC FOOD/ENTERTAINMENT/CONGENIALITY PROGRAM.

The Committee was told repeatedly that what was being offered was for our residents only. 

Phyllis Richland, who was a Vice-President at this time, a compassionate individual whose goal had always been to help those who were unable to help themselves supported this plan.  Unfortunately,  her pleas for compassion and charity, fell on deaf ears.  Many of those who opposed this offer said that it would turn Century Village into a “SOUP KITCHEN.”  Regretfully some committee members were convinced by this argument and voted against the program.  Some members even uttered comments such as, we don’t want the elderly slobbering all over the floors.  As a result of this “cold hearted” decision,  the JCC was told that their services were not wanted.  END OF STORY.

However, the curtain did not fall all the way on this issue.  There are some persons that are perpetuating the idea that Phyllis Richland still supports this plan and when becoming the

next UCO President will reinstall this service when she takes office. 

We have a good idea why and who are  spreading this shameful piece of gossip.  We all know that politics is a very dirty business.  Candidates who are in jeopardy of losing an election resort to “dirty tricks” such as urging their robot supporters to plant these untruths where ever they can.  Like a “nerf ball.” if it sticks great.  By the by, the JCC does not offer this program any more.

Fascism uses the a propaganda technique called the “Big Lie.”  They believe if you tell a lie over and over again, people will begin to believe the lie.  A classic example would be the infamous cigarette commercials of yester year.  “Winston tastes good as a cigarette should, or smoke Camels, doctors have testified that your throat will never be sore.

Well you know what happened to all those who believed this big lie.  I urge all our residents to reject these rumors once and for all.  Move on and let the sun shine in.