Seniors, Mae Wong, left and Bessie Polland

by Carolyn James

When discussions first began about building a senior citizen center in North Amityville, Mae Wong was well into her senior years at age 76. She’s now 91, and joined about 200 people to celebrate the dedication of the new center, which Wong and Town officials acknowledged was long overdue.

"It’s been a long time in coming, but it looks great," said Wong. "I run from one center to the other and it keeps me young, but I am glad to have one here now in North Amityville.

Bessie Pollard, another senior agreed. "It is beautiful," said Pollard.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony, with seniors and public officials

Pearl Hartley said she is also a regular at the town’s senior centers and that she was at the opening of the new center in North Amityville to "check it out."

"We always have a good time at the other centers," said Hartley, who added that she just might split her time between them now.

"It’s been a long time in coming and I want to thank you for your patience," said Babylon Town Councilwoman Ellen McVeety, the chairperson of the Town’s human resources committee. "I offer you a personal apology for the missteps that prevented this from opening sooner."

On hand to celebrate the event were elected officials, including New York State Comptroller H. Carll McCall. Sounding a lot like a candidate for Governor, McCall talked about senior services and how important they were. He cited statistics showing that the senior popular was growing faster than any other segment of the population. On Long Island, he said the population of the 60-plus group grows at a rate two times faster than that of the rest of the population.

Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone is shown on opening day with Dorothy Potta, president of the Senior Group.

"We have to make sure that we at the county, town and state levels provide services for seniors who need housing, and long-term care, and ensure there is sufficient money for agencies that take care of our seniors," said McCall, getting an a round of applause from the many seniors in the audience.

McCall also talked about other issues that are on the minds of Long Islanders, such as education and affordable housing.

"These are important things that I talk about everywhere," McCall said after the event, as rain poured outside and he prepared to leave for another speaking engagement. The Democrat is facing opposition from Andrew Cuomo as the two face off for the nomination for Governor. "And who better than seniors who know how to put the pressure on to make sure we do the right things for our kids.

If there was any doubt about McCall’s support in Babylon, it was drowned out by the applause from the seniors and the warm introduction he received from Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. And, while it was McCall’s office that handed down two audits that were highly critical of the town’s finances several years ago, McCall said Babylon’s leaders had taken the criticism professionally and moved forward.

"They realized that I was doing my job and that my office has a staff of professional accountants whose job it is to find the bottom line and ensure that the public gets the best possible service from people in government," said McCall. "To their credit, the Town’s officials took our advice, did the right things and was able to turn the town’s finances around. That’s leadership."

In discussing the center’s opening, Bellone said the rain outside that day didn’t dampen the high spirits inside the newly constructed building. "During my campaign (for Supervisor) I promised that one of the first things I would do is get this center open," said Bellone. "So this is an especially happy day for me, as I am sure it is for you," he told the seniors at the opening.

The new Senior Citizen Center in North Amityville is a inter- generational facility, which will develop programs for the seniors that incorporate the participation of children and youth. This approach, said Benetia Tekosky, a community service aide and assistant to the Center’s Director Diane Saunders, is to tap into the best both generations have to offer each other.

"It is important that children understand that getting old doesn’t mean you are useless and that older people have a lot to offer them in terms of their wisdom," said Tekosky. "The children will work in partnership with the seniors."

Programs are not fully developed yet, but will likely include intergenerational art projects and reading programs.

The Center is located at 48C Cedar Rd. Amityville. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.