CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

Opposition Grows To Senior Center Reorg RFP

CSCS has taken a leadership role in opposing Mayor Bloomberg’s flawed plans to restructure senior centers, with the possibility of 85 closing (see CSCS testimony explaining the problems with the plan). In the last few weeks, there’s been an outpouring of tremendous support from seniors and their elected officials. Working with Speaker Christine Quinn and City Council members Arroyo and Vacca, CSCS delivered over 17,000 letters individually signed by seniors to Mayor Bloomberg, stating opposition to this plan. The letters and calls continue to come in.

Over 500 seniors packed City Hall for the City Council Committee on Aging review of the RFP. Testimony was given by the five borough presidents, Comptroller Bill Thompson, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and others.

Elected Officials Opposing Plan

• Manhattan State Senators Urge Mayor to Stop Senior Plan - 12/5/08
• Speaker Quinn and Council Members Join CSCS to Against Neighborhood Senior Center Closings - 12/4/08
• Testimony by Comptroller Thompson - 12/4/08
• Testimony by Bronx Borough President Adolpho Carrion - 12/4/08
• Testimony by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz - 12/4/08
• Testimony by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer - 12/4/08
• Testimony by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall - 12/4/08
• Testimony by Staten Island Borough President James Mollinaro - 12/4/08
• City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Holds Press Conference to Get the Senior Center RFP Withdrawn - 11/14/08
• Bronx State Senators Urge Mayor to Stop Senior Plan - 10/19/08
• Bronx State Senators ask Governor to Intervene with Mayor on Senior plan - 10/19/08

Growing Media Interest

• Senior services overhaul met with resistance - 12/10/08 - Queens Courier
• City Comptroller Bill Thompson says Mayor doesn't understand worries of the people - 12/10/08 - NY1
• Senior Center Re-Org Hits A Roadblock - 12/10/08 - City Limits
• The Center of Seniors' Discontent - 12/5/08 - Daily News
• Senior Citizens Protest Changes At Their Centers - 12/5/08 - NY1
• After Term Limits Vote, Tensions Rise at City Hall - 11/1/08 - NY Times -