HOME BIOGRAPHY PHOTO GALLERY SENIOR CITIZENS NEWS LINKS CONTACT                       By Rick A. Richards, Post-Tribune When 81-year-old Homer Hollins of Gary lost his home at a tax sale, Lake County Commissioner Rudy Clay got mad. Hollins, who spends most of his $1,300-a-month income on dialysis and diabetes medicine, didn't know his property taxes hadn't been paid. His late wife managed the finances, and after her death, he had a hard time keeping up with what needed to be paid. As a result, Hollins, who spent almost as much time getting medical care as he did at home, missed paying his property taxes. His home was sold to Key Corporate of Boston for $2,238. But the story has a happy ending. Clay made sure Hollins wasn't evicted and got Key to back away from the purchase. What happened to Hollins isn't unique, although the happy ending is. That's why Clay holds Hollins up as an example of why he wants the Gary City Council to pass an ordinance earmarking a portion of Gary's casino revenue to pay property taxes for Gary's seniors. Clay figures it will cost between $1 million and $1.2 million. "It's a win-win situation," said Clay. Although I'm not so sure that's the best use of casino dollars, Clay and I agree there needs to be more attention paid to the needs of senior citizens. One week ago, Clay hosted a meeting of nearly 40 Lake County agencies that provide some sort of service to seniors. The idea was to find out where those services overlap, what holes are in the safety net and what can be done to fix both. If comments at the meeting are any indication, there seems to be a consensus that any turf battles that might arise need to be put on the shelf, especially when the budgets for social service agencies are being constricted. Marie A. Kalafatic, associate director of elderly services for LCEOC in Hammond, said the importance of the meeting can't be understated. "We've got people all over Lake County who are forced into making decisions on whether to buy food or prescriptions," she said. "Seniors deserve all the help we can give them." She cited this example: Even though LCEOC provides meals for the elderly, it serves only 155 in Gary and 30 in East Chicago. That's because, Kalafatic said, there isn't any way for all seniors who qualify for the hot meals (most of whom can't drive), to get to the nutrition site. And then there's this statistic: Indiana spends $125 a day on each juvenile offender, $48 for each adult behind bars and just $28 on the needs of senior citizens. Priorities seem to be skewed. Even though the agencies try to provide more service to more people, they're doing it with less money. "As we try to expand, all we are really doing is creating a massive waiting list. I find that depressing," said Kalafatic. That's one reason the meeting may be so helpful. Since the agencies are in the same financial predicament, this is an opportunity to examine what each does and then focus on its mission. Turning over some services to another agency that does it better shouldn't be viewed as a loss of power or influence, but an opportunity to make sure the people in need get what they deserve. Rebecca Pelath, director of the LaPorte County Council on Aging, was invited by Clay to lead the discussion. Agencies in LaPorte County have gone through a similar review of services, and the result was a comprehensive directory that has become a guidebook in pairing up seniors in need with the correct agency. "It's important to learn to know each other and to trust each other," said Pelath. But the biggest problem isn't keeping a roof over someone's head or getting their prescriptions filled or getting someone to a doctor's appointment. All of that somehow seems to eventually work out. The problem is guiding senior citizens to the right agency. Everyone at Tuesday's meeting had a story about someone in desperate need of help and didn't know who to call. For instance, even though her transportation agency couldn't help with getting a prescription filled, Kalafatic said that didn't mean she tells them they had the wrong number. Instead, she - and nearly everyone else - works the phones until they find someone who can help. Clay said that's the attitude needed to improve senior citizen services in Lake County. "I'm really concerned the word isn't getting out to seniors," he said. "Now when people call, we just look at them as a piece of paper or a form to fill out. We ought to be looking at them with our heart." Pelath agreed. "Any problem can be overcome as long as we all keep the people in focus." Even though there weren't a lot of answers, there was a lot of agreement on what questions need to be asked. Getting the answers will happen only if everyone works together. And if that happens, it will not only help Lake County's senior citizens, but show other elected officials that people, not turf wars, are the real reason for public service.	Clay gives fundraiser to build more wheelchair ramps. Click here.               There is a change in the way lots can be disposed of. Click here.               Clay proposes using casino funds to pay property taxes for senior citizens. Click here.                 Clay holds the "Toys for Kids that Santa Claus Forgot" program. Click here.
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