By: Howard J Castay, Jr.
Beverly Domengeaux who directs the St. Mary Parish Council on Aging, said any further state cuts could force her budget into the red by $125,000, and it could further shrink her services.
Speaking before the parish council, Domengeaux said one of the parish's senior citizens told her, "If you guys would close, we would just die."
Domengeaux spoke before parish leaders to request an additional $20,000 on top of the $30,000 the council funds her yearly. The council later granted her wish.
"What they did, will allow me to cut a waiting list of 435 more seniors in half, in order to serve them a hot meal daily with the Meals on Wheels program," she said. "But the word we got is that we're going to get more cuts from the state. The governor wants to make more cuts. And if we get cut anymore, we're going to have to make up that money with fundraisers."
"Things are going up. People aren't able to give us the contributions that they usual do," she said. "A lot of people are moving into the community, but they're moving in with family because they can't keep up their homes anymore. That's putting added pressure on everyone."
Last year, Domengeaux said she provided 113,233 meals to 919 people last year, the cost of which is shy $300,000.
"We ask our folks to donate $5 for a homemaker and $2 for a meal, and we're getting about half of that because people just don't' have the money, yet every day we're seeing more people that need the home delivered meals," Domengeaux said.
"The governor tells me that the senior programs are for the community and the family to take care of. 'Get the community involved and get the families more involved,' he says. Well I'm there to supplement the families, not to take the place of them," she said.
During her pitch to the St. Mary Parish Council, Council Chairman Albert Foulcard asked, "I always thought the government was family oriented?"
"I did too Mr. Foulcard," she answered. "And the Older Americans Act says specifically that we must have services for seniors. Well, what we get paid is roughly $1.25 for each senior in this parish, and we have a little over 6,000."
Councilman Craig Matthews asked, so what you're saying is that your deficit is likely to grow? He later poised a question to the council, "Well we help out the prisoners more than the elderly. What do we have to say about that?"
Councilman Gary Duhon averted that question, with this statement, "We might not be obligated to feed our seniors, but hey, I'm getting old myself. We need to comb our budget to find more ways we can help."
"Well how much did we allocate to the golf course," Matthews asked. "Helping this program out should not even be a debate."
Domengeaux said one of the parish's mayors, whom she did not name, asked her if her clients really needed most of her services. She said he is following his wish, and personally reviewing each individual situation.
She also said that the United Way cut their budget and told her they're not sure they are going to be able to met contractual obligations they have with St. Mary Parish.
However, she said that St. Mary Community Action Director Almetra Franklin has offered grant writers to find funds, in order to feed the seniors in the home.
"There is a new buzz word in other parts of the world called ageism, that is, when a person reaches a certain age, no one should have to take care of them anymore. I say remember, if it wasn't for us seniors, none of you would be here right now," she said.
In approving the additional money for Domengeaux, Councilman Matthews learned it could wipe out most of the balance that is located in the gaming fund from the Amelia Belle Casino.
Paul Governale, the parish's staff accountant, told the council that there "will be not too much, if anything left for seniors."
"I'm not worried about the rainy days. Let's worry about them later. Let's feed our seniors," Matthews said.
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