On Monday, I attended the public golf forum put on by the Everett Parks and Recreation Department at Legion Hall. The presentation outlined the daily golf fee increases, which were modest except for the annual passes, which were increased 18 percent and 20 percent.
New annual passes will be discontinued to all but existing pass holders in 2007. The senior age limit will be raised from 62 to 65. The city is determined to eliminate the senior resident pass.
The prior City Council meeting that had the elimination of the senior golf pass on the agenda was attended by many seniors who spoke to the situation. I was the last speaker and said: “This in not about golf, it is about budget versus senior residents.” There were almost unanimous affirmative nods from the council members. I then asked the council where they were going to stop with budget versus senior residents: “Stop the free Everett transit pass? Stop the resident discount cards at Forest Park swim? Stop the free membership at the Senior Center?” There were no affirmative nods to my last questions.
At the forum I again said: “This is not about golf. It is about budget versus senior residents” and again received an affirmative nod.
We, the senior residents, must make our voices heard even if we do not have enough clout to carry the day.
Dennis Finlayson
Everett
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