Although the group is still trying to decide on the perfect name, senior citizens in Porterdale now have a place to meet for fun and fellowship every other Thursday.
Porterdale Councilwoman Linda Finger organized a meeting to discuss activities for seniors and gauge interest in a group and phone tree on Feb. 6. She said she was amazed at the developments that stemmed from the gathering.
Dr. Jerry Patterson has offered a fully-furnished home he owns in Porterdale to be a temporary meeting place for the senior group every other Thursday starting Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s just a gorgeous home,” Finger said of the Patterson house, which also is used by other city departments such as for counseling performed by the police department.
Finger said that once the historic Porterdale Gym has been completely renovated it will include a meeting room for different groups in Porterdale.
For the first meeting on the 18th, Finger has purchased various board and card games for the seniors and will provide sandwiches and chips. She said she expects approximately a dozen residents to attend the first meeting and that they will hammer out more details about when to meet and what activities to plan.
Kay Hill has offered to coordinate the senior activities and Sally Ann Jarrett has volunteered as the refreshment coordinator for the group.
Another positive development from the Feb. 6 town hall meeting was the establishment of a phone tree for elderly residents. When a few town residents passed away in their homes and no one knew for several days, it prompted Finger to build a phone tree. The idea is that one person is responsible for calling another person to check up on them. Finger said about eight people currently are on the list and others can be added.
“We just want to make sure we are touching base with everyone three days a week,” Finger said.
City hall volunteers also were recruited at the meeting. The volunteers will work approximately four hour shifts and answer phones at city hall. Finger said they were able to have volunteers work the morning and afternoon shifts at city hall all this week. An orientation session was held for all those volunteering.
Finger said everything that came out of the town hall meeting has a similar goal.
“A lot of it is going to be that they are going to be looking out for each other and making new friends,” Finger said.
If you are interested in joining the senior group or the phone tree, call Linda Finger at (678) 859-2496.
In other news from Porterdale’s Tuesday night work session:
• Porterdale Mayor Bobby Hamby recently sent a letter to the Northeast Regional Development Commission requesting their assistance in applying for a Community Development Block Grant for sewer repairs. The city is not eligible to receive CDBG funds because their comprehensive plan is not completed.
• The city will use approximately $1,300 of SPLOST 95 funds to removed two high hazard trees – one on Poplar Street and the other on Elm Street.
• The council will discuss further the possibility of enacting a special event alcohol ordinance as well as a golf cart ordinance at their next regularly scheduled work session on Feb. 25.
• The council currently is accepting applications for their city manager position as well as for a city clerk. Clerk Lynn Rodriguez tendered her resignation citing the need to stay home with her young family. The city also is seeking applicants for a part-time customer service representative. For job descriptions or to apply, visit http://www.cityofporterdale.com/jobs/index.html
