Politicians, Locals Rally Against Cuts For Senior Centers

Chanting "Save our centers...no more cuts!" and holding signs with such slogans as "No senior centers, no senior votes," roughly 200 protesters gathered in front of Flushing Town Hall on Friday to rally against a state budget proposal that would shutter more than 100 city senior centers.

"These cuts are unconscionable," said State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, D-Whitestone, an event organizer whose district slices through Forest Hills. "For many seniors, these centers are their lifeline, providing for hot meals, socializing, exercise and educational programs."

Due for a vote on April 1, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recently unveiled state budget proposal calls for slashing roughly $27 million from senior services in the five boroughs. If enacted, the cuts would close 22 centers in Queens, including the , the only kosher center in the area.

"It's a disgrace to do this to seniors who've worked their whole lives," said Young Israel Director Susan Rabinowicz, who attended the event. "These seniors are going to suffer. ... And they can't just go anywhere: I have seniors who don't go to other centers because they're not Glatt kosher."

Flushing-based Assemblywoman Grace Meng informed that her parents participate in city senior centers. "I am fully aware that painful choices have to be made this year but our senior citizens are our community’s most prized possession," she stated, adding that about 29,000 residents visit senior centers daily across the city.

Assemblywoman Meng and State Senator Stavisky have collected more than 2,000 signatures from individuals who oppose the cuts. They plan to collect even more signatures and present them to Cuomo in Albany this month.

"Title XX [senior center funding] is on the choping block every year," said Linda Sun, Assemblywoman Meng's district office manager. "Hopefuly, we are going to be able to show the governor how important these centers are to senior life."