Dear Editor:

On Tuesday, November 3, Scioto County voters have the opportunity to have a tremendous impact upon the lives or our County's older citizens. A YES vote on the .3 mil RENEWAL Senior Citizens levy will help to ensure that vital services such as homebound escort, transportation, homemaker, adult day care, information and assistance, and socialization will continue without interruption to our families, friends, and neighbors over age 60. Scioto County should be proud that it was one of the first counties in the state of Ohio to pass a levy to support services for older adults, with continued strong support in each renewal. With tightening state and federal budgets and ever-increasing fuel costs, local support is more crucial than ever.

Supportive services have a proven track record for satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Things that may seem insignificant to those of us with transportation are almost insurmountable to seniors who no longer drive or whose family members either don't live in the area or can't take time off from work for doctor appointments, medicine pick-up, groceries.. .simple tasks we take for granted, but things that enable seniors to continue to live independently, in their own homes.

This 3/10 of one mil levy is a RENEWAL - this means there won't be any new, additional costs to taxpayers. A homeowner with a house valued at $50,000 will pay only $2.16 per year; a $ 100,000 home valuation will cost $4.33 per year -a year of supportive services for less than the cost of a large coffee! Your YES vote on this RENEWAL will help to continue vital services to the older citizens of Scioto County - to help those who have made our County, State, and Country what it is today, through their hard work and sacrifices. We should allow our parents and grandparents the choice of living, with dignity, at home, for as long as possible. Thank you, Scioto County for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Reneé S. Ellis

Executive Director

U.S.S.A. Scioto County Senior Center Portsmouth, Ohio