Tempers flared and confusion reigned at the Innisfail Seniors Drop In Society meeting last week, resulting in the resignation of society president Lester Bishop amidst frustration within the group.
During the society's meeting on March 19, Bishop unexpectedly quit his position after a raucous affair that saw no decision made on a bathroom renovation and a price rollback for their popular Saturday jam session.
ìWe had presentations on the upcoming bathroom renovation/location,î said Jean Bennett, Innisfail Senior Drop In Society publicity chair and FCSS coordinator. ìTerry Welsh from the town came into the meeting and gave his report, and there was so much ruckus we did not get to discuss the second option.î
She added that decision will have to wait until next meeting but even with a decision the new bathrooms will be four to five years away.
ìWith the FCSS offices behind us, and their possible move we have to consider what will work best in the long run,î said Bennett. ìIf we put in the wishes of the town, then we have some more options.î
Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, the town's Family Community Support Services (FCSS) manager noted this is a 50/50 grant, split between the province and town, and the $25,000 already received from the Alberta government is based on a $50,000 total cost for the project. She was going to check into the grant to see what limitations it includes and how it will affect the seniors.
Meanwhile, on the secondary issue discussed at the meeting, a price rollback on the Saturday jam session from $3 to $2 was agreed to after much discussion among the seniors present. Many argued that $3 was too much for seniors living on fixed incomes, yet others said $2 was not enough.
Bennett added much of the finger food for the jam sessions on Saturdays was donated and that made keeping track difficult on how much it costs to feed the up to 120 seniors who come to listen and dance the afternoon away.
ìThree dollars is probably closer to what it does cost us to feed people if we buy all the food,î said Bennett. ìLike any service, we should look at cost recovery. But the membership did vote for $2, so that is what it is.î
Starting last Saturday, the cost for the jam is $2.
The meeting ended with the resignation of Bishop as president of the drop in centre.
He had no comment on the issue when contacted.
ìI was shocked when he resigned,î said Bennett. ìHe had said, ëI don't want to stay up nights worrying about the drop in centre', and then resigned a few minutes later.î
Bennett added she appreciated Bishop stepping up to the plate to serve as president when he did noting it is hard to find people to volunteer.
Past president Basil Dalton will serve as president until elections are held.
Upcoming events at the drop in centre include a senior fashion show to be held at the legion on April 1, and a wellness day on April 9 that will focus on diabetes, and exercise from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
