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November 5, 2009

Pools, Senior Center get a hand

Private foundations providing additional funding

By Bob Belcher

Daily Sun



Some tough budget cuts made by the Corsicana City Council got the attention of two local private foundations — and also brought donations to help fund two city programs that suffered from those cuts.

The donations will allow the city to open up the two city-operated pools, Corsicana City Manager Connie Standridge said Thursday. Both pools had been set to remain closed in 2010.

Additionally, some of the funds are designated for the city-operated Senior Activity Center, which was facing cutbacks in personnel and services.

The two program cuts — along with a variety of other programs cut or eliminated — were made by the council in an effort to balance the city budget that took effect Oct. 1. City leaders were challenged with finding about $1 million in cuts in order to balance the budget. Mayor C.L. “Buster” Brown III commissioned a special advisory panel to help identify possible cuts or reductions in spending.

With the grants, the city’s two pools — at Bunert Park and Jester Park — will open during the summer, although days and hours of operation may be fewer than in years past, said Standridge. Plans are still being formulated for the pools, she said.

“I’m thrilled,” said Sharla Allen, city parks and recreation director. “This means that 5,000 kids will have a place to swim next summer.”

The funds designated for the Senior Activity Center will help restore part of the $20,000 city leaders cut from the center for part time salaries. The original cut made by the council was $25,000. Before the final vote was taken, $5,000 was restored to the program’s budget by the city.

Fred Biltz, director of the Senior Activity Center, said the foundation’s gift will help keep people working, and providing services and activities for the area’s senior citizen population. The center logs about 1,000 total visits each month, he said, with many seniors coming to the center several times a month.

“We’ve got a very healthy and vibrant senior population and I think we fulfill a bunch of their social needs,” Biltz said.

—————

Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.

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