Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • P2

2 hu rs da ay 3 20 12 ampa ay imes PSC ta mpab ay om pinion Gues column r. Rao Musunuru Older people a vital resource I April 1963, President ohn ennedy designated the month of Ma as Citizens onth to encourage the nation to pay tribute to older people and to celebrat their contributions and achievements. I 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act and established the Administration on Aging part of the Department of ealth and uman Ser vices, to address the lack of community social se rv ices for older people in the nited States. In 1980, the month of a was changed to Americans onth by resident immy Carter ver year the Administration on Aging creates a national theme for Older Americans Mo th. his year theme, too old to pla encourages older Americans to st ay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities.

hear over and over again, are the future of the countr y. In realit older citizens are the real future, as they mold and manufacture the future passing on their knowledge, wisdom and skills to the next ener- ation through teaching training and guiding owadays, older Americans remain a major part of the work- force, and ser ve as mentors for the younger generation. They are the backbone of the volunteer force, essential for the functioning of all charitable and som private organizations that support society They take leadership positions in their neighborhoods, ranging from beautification to crime prevention. hey streng then the social fabric of families in their roles as dependable caregivers helping to aise grandchildren and great- grandchildren, leading them by xample, supporting them inan- cially and nurturing them emotionally President Bill Clinton and urrent resident Barack Obama were aised by their grandparents. My own grandmother who never had a formal education of her own, was the pillar of my emotional, intellectual and spiritual trength.

he rebellious younger en- ration that ever elates their parents out of resentment for discipline will listen to their grandparents out of unconditional af fection and trust. Selfless civic-minded senior volunteers create a ulture of giving and forgiving to the unrelated a nd bser vant ounge generation. They help less fortunate seniors through support groups and assist the less vibrant through supporting activities. ach Ma Older Americans onth is celebrated throug various ceremonies and events, tarting with the presidential proclamation. any local activities are sponsored by Area Agenc on Aging of asco-Pinel- las.

One of the ac tivities, inherited by the asco District School Board, in partnership with the asco Education oundation and the Community Aging and Retirement Ser vices (CARES), is a yearly fa vorite old person essay contest. The contest encourages fifth-grade students in asco schools to write about a special older person in their lives. One has read these essays, as I did, to realize that the social fabric of this community and coun- tr is till ver intact, indeed. Throughout the year CARES also conducts various intergen- rational ac tivities fostering rich relations between youngsters and seniors. he older Americans ha ve given this countr a lot and ha ve a lot ore to give.

They are the makers and markers of the future. he youngsters ha ve a lot to learn from them. he late Andy Rooney said it best. The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. Older Americans truly deser ve not only our honor and respect, but also our at tention, assistance and support.

Dr Rao usunuru, a practicing cardiologist, is an honorary boar member of ARES. Musunuru Yo ur etters Share our opinions go to tampabay ters Uneasy abo ut nt it lements Ap ril 29 C. T. ow en colu mn So ci al ec ur it is cr it ic al opic al hank you for C. T.

Bowen column on Yo ve Earned a Sa listening session in Land Social Sec urity and edicare are critical to the retirement sec u- rity of all Floridians whether they are already retired or ha ve decades to o. One in our Floridians 65 or older depends on Social Sec urity for 90 percent or more of income. It far past time to take the debate about the future of these programs out from behind the closed doors of ashington so that the people who ha ve paid into these programs can make their voices heard on ow streng then them for the future. It important that 26 -year olds like To ny artin, 67 -year-olds like is other and 83 year- olds like Ma ry Ann Hile all be a par of the conversation, not only because the all paid into Social Sec rity a nd edicare but also because these programs are so essential to their inancial well-being AARP Florida hopes more of your readers will share their perspectives at local listening sessions or online at earnedasay org Je ff ohnson, state director of AARP; St. eter sbur Ni ecisions serv to hurt him ay 2, an DeW it col umn Ke ep ol it ic ou of ou cr it ic is ms The author who vidently never met a Republican he liked, slants a series of vents to his point of vie w.

ven states, is a lot we don know about the incidents. Ye in seconds, I was able to ind commen- tar disputing his versions. I a lso searched the Times archives for DeWi tt lumns criticizing Democrat candidates, and could not ind one. One thing is certain; if ernando and Pa co had Democrats as sherif fs Dan DeWit would ha ve nothing to write about. Richard olden, San Antonio YO UR OICE OU NT Yo may submit a letter to the editor or possible publication through our website at tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (7 27) 8696233, or by mailing it asco Times 11321 U.S.

19, Po rt Richey, FL 34668. ou must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited or clarity, taste and length. POOL co tinued fr om 1 STEVENS co tinued fr om 1 took that first ride to the Angelus, Charlie Daniels was learning about Sha ver and her mission. had been searching fo such a charity to upport and began coming to udson for annual concerts and golf tournaments.

He recruited other countr music tars and became a hero to the 30 residents. Daniels will re turn this winter for the 22 nd time. Gar Williams joined the Angelus board of directors and spent countless hours organizing events and lining up sponsors. He became close friends to celebrities like ampa Bay Buccaneer tars Mike Alstot and err Wu sch. moved easily among football players, his wife said, he was one of them.

belonged to the NFL Alumni. Williams briefly joined the Chicag Bears after college in Illinois, she said, but he broke both legs in a snow skiing accident before he could play a single down. eople assumed he was a football player because of his size, but he really ex celled in olf. was a high school state champion in Illinois. He llowed is parents to lear water in the early 1970 and opened a gas station.

Williams kept his eye out for rural property and bought 5 acres in udson. He drove a truck for Empire Gas and within five years was a regional vice president. He became co-owner of Sunrise ropane and Shor Commercial Ser vices. He married Sherr a teacher aide for emotionally handicapped pupils at oon La ke Ele- mentar School. They had two children, Danielle and Je ff re y.

As a hobby Gar built motorc y- cles and Sherr raced them. In arch 1989, she was killed during a ace in South Carolina. Sherr was 29. had a ver interesting and at times tragic life, said amm his wife the last 22 years. was just a wonderful person.

He made a dif ference. After learning of death at a ge 61, harlie Daniels wrote an essay recount their friendship. noted that has ver been more faithful and to Angelus. loved Gar Williams, Daniels wrote, the many good deeds he left behind will long be remembered. in peace, Buddy Fr om he ro nt age De vo ted riend of Angelus IF OU Angelus picnic The annual picnic is scheduled or noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday, aturing live music. The public is invited and encouraged to make a donation. The address is 124 13 Hudson Ave. For inf ormation, visit theangelus.com. Courtesy of ammy Williams Gar Williams, 61, came back from his firs visit to Angelus ready to do wha tev er they needed, said ammy his wif e.

aren enough ecreational swimmers like oad and Wit to cover the osts keeping the pool open during winter months, when costs sk yrocket to eep it heated. only ha ve around 10 or 12 recreational swim- ers that come ever day to exercise. And most of them show up around 6 a.m., so we ha ve to pay for the taf to be there, and during the winter we ha ve to heat the pool, Consalvo said. Consalvo said he believes the city will likely ha ve no choice but to close pools at the center from December through ebruar but that will be debated at a future meeting The mayor also said he would be open to swim teams coming up with plans for winter practice time if they are willing to cover the costs lifeguards and heating the pool. ampa Bay Aquatics parent al Blethroad said he wasn comforted that the city is taking longer to look at pool operations.

till lea ves us up in the air Blethroad said As for the membership fee increases approved Tu esda only time will tell if the new rate bring more money or fewer memberships. Last year the city dramatically aised the cost of its summer camp program from $40 to $80 a week for city residents, and from $50 to $150 a week for non-residents only to chase ever yone aw ay On uesday the council backed a way from tha rate hike because the city had vir tually no takers, said Consalvo, who was on the losing end of last year 3 2 vote to raise the camp fees. In stead, the council changed the rates again, this time to $50 a week for city residents and $60 a week for non-residents. my understanding no one has paid ye (under the old rates). And because of the higher rates we would not have had a camp, the mayor said ednesda y.

Th at hy I voted against it. I knew there would be trouble for people in this area meeting those costs. New ra tes City Council approved a new fee schedule on ues- day to generate ore revenue or the New ort Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center at 6630 Va Buren St. Here are the new fees: Age resident nonresident chang AIL Yo ut 5 (up from $3 Senior $5 $6 (up from $3 Adult $6 $7 (up from $5) 3 MO NTH MEMBERSHIP Yo uth $50 $62 (previously $50) Senior $7 5 $94 (up from $50) Adult $100 $125 (up from $7 5) Family $165 $192 (up from $150) ANNU AL MEMBERSHIP Yo uth $100 $125 (previously $100) Senior $150 $187 (up from $100) Adult $200 $250 (up from $150) Family $33 378 (up from $300) Note: Active duty military and veterans receive a 10 percent discount or individual memberships. New ort Richey City Counci Pool may close during winter Fr om he ro nt age.