By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rioan Bea Vallejo told city council members recently she’d like the city to do more for elderly residents who participate in its nutrition program and for the city to be more transparent about its operating costs.
Vallejo, a concerned citizen who regularly addresses the Del Rio City Council and Val Verde County Commissioners Court on issues that concern her, spoke during the citizen comments portion of the Sept. 19 special city council meeting. Vallejo began by voicing concerns about the city budget, but focused most of her comments on services for the elderly who participate in the city’s nutrition program.
“The budget has been hard for citizens to review. More line items are needed for transparency. Unfortunately, you are now rushed to approve this year’s budget. Salaries are not the only concern the citizens have. There are many expense actions that require your immediate attention. But it seems you have overlooked them. We the citizens need more transparency,” Vallejo told the council.
She also urged the mayor and council to “go out to see how (city) personnel work and how directors and supervisors conduct business.” If they don’t, she added, “You will never have firsthand experience of how this city runs.”
“Let’s take the nutrition center at Joe Ramos. It is bundled with other items (in the budget). There are no specifics about monies allocated for entertainment, for food subsidies, for repairs to the room or building in use. Medicare recipients that attend the center are not being served as efficiently and effectively as they should be. If they had Medicaid, they could go elsewhere. It is a shame that on a daily basis, the nutrition center only provides for two activities, loteria and pool playing,” Vallejo said.
“There is no visible person to direct or interact in any of the two activities. Employees reheat and serve food. They, too, rarely interact with the elderly, leaving the elderly to fend for themselves. There is no activities director, no one in charge of clearing or cleaning the eating area while the elderly visit with each other. No TV. No radio unless you bring your own. No apparatus to play and listen to music. The only two things to do at the nutrition center is play loteria or play pool,” she added.
Vallejo voiced additional concerns about the program.
“Donations are provided by those in attendance. Monies are earned from renting the actual room used by the nutrition center. Those funds should be returned in the form of entertainment, activities, loteria prizes and for any needed repairs to the room or building,” she said.
“There is much food in boxes coming in, but little food is going out. The majority of the people attending the nutrition center leave hungry. They are provided child portions. If they should ask for more food, there is no more,” Vallejo added.
She said without line items in the budget for the program, citizens are not able to identify the amounts spent on salaries or other items.
“Keep in mind, council, the city of Del Rio, runs under your direction. You should not invest in a building without having a true purpose for it. We have many buildings to care for, some in use, others vacant, others on loan and some rented. Yet, the citizens have no clear picture of which they are and how much is being received from each. And further yet, we do not even know if these buildings are in need of repairs,” Vallejo said.
“On a yearly basis, council should direct that each building’s electrical, plumbing and structural composition be inspected and a repair list be provided to council to determine which repairs need immediate attention,” she said.
“Taxpayers and citizens need you, council, to be mindful of our financials, our buildings and the services the city of Del Rio provides. You, council, you are our eyes, our ears. Be not afraid to speak your truth and to speak for us. Be mindful of all things,” Vallejo finished.
—
Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
NEWS — Citizen addresses concerns about elderly programs
By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rioan Bea Vallejo told city council members recently she’d like the city to do more for elderly residents who participate in its nutrition program and for the city to be more transparent about its operating costs.
Vallejo, a concerned citizen who regularly addresses the Del Rio City Council and Val Verde County Commissioners Court on issues that concern her, spoke during the citizen comments portion of the Sept. 19 special city council meeting. Vallejo began by voicing concerns about the city budget, but focused most of her comments on services for the elderly who participate in the city’s nutrition program.
“The budget has been hard for citizens to review. More line items are needed for transparency. Unfortunately, you are now rushed to approve this year’s budget. Salaries are not the only concern the citizens have. There are many expense actions that require your immediate attention. But it seems you have overlooked them. We the citizens need more transparency,” Vallejo told the council.
She also urged the mayor and council to “go out to see how (city) personnel work and how directors and supervisors conduct business.” If they don’t, she added, “You will never have firsthand experience of how this city runs.”
“Let’s take the nutrition center at Joe Ramos. It is bundled with other items (in the budget). There are no specifics about monies allocated for entertainment, for food subsidies, for repairs to the room or building in use. Medicare recipients that attend the center are not being served as efficiently and effectively as they should be. If they had Medicaid, they could go elsewhere. It is a shame that on a daily basis, the nutrition center only provides for two activities, loteria and pool playing,” Vallejo said.
“There is no visible person to direct or interact in any of the two activities. Employees reheat and serve food. They, too, rarely interact with the elderly, leaving the elderly to fend for themselves. There is no activities director, no one in charge of clearing or cleaning the eating area while the elderly visit with each other. No TV. No radio unless you bring your own. No apparatus to play and listen to music. The only two things to do at the nutrition center is play loteria or play pool,” she added.
Vallejo voiced additional concerns about the program.
“Donations are provided by those in attendance. Monies are earned from renting the actual room used by the nutrition center. Those funds should be returned in the form of entertainment, activities, loteria prizes and for any needed repairs to the room or building,” she said.
“There is much food in boxes coming in, but little food is going out. The majority of the people attending the nutrition center leave hungry. They are provided child portions. If they should ask for more food, there is no more,” Vallejo added.
She said without line items in the budget for the program, citizens are not able to identify the amounts spent on salaries or other items.
“Keep in mind, council, the city of Del Rio, runs under your direction. You should not invest in a building without having a true purpose for it. We have many buildings to care for, some in use, others vacant, others on loan and some rented. Yet, the citizens have no clear picture of which they are and how much is being received from each. And further yet, we do not even know if these buildings are in need of repairs,” Vallejo said.
“On a yearly basis, council should direct that each building’s electrical, plumbing and structural composition be inspected and a repair list be provided to council to determine which repairs need immediate attention,” she said.
“Taxpayers and citizens need you, council, to be mindful of our financials, our buildings and the services the city of Del Rio provides. You, council, you are our eyes, our ears. Be not afraid to speak your truth and to speak for us. Be mindful of all things,” Vallejo finished.
—
Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
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