Hopatcong Borough Senior Center Activities Come with Gov Snoops

Do we lose the democracy of citizen group civic meetups when government programs referee our community public places? I have finally reached eligibility age to visit the County Congregate Senior Meal program in Hopatcong. Government food provisions was not a community service that I was looking for from my municipality. However, I became aware that our former Civic Center was offering a bus trip to a Lunch/Sightseeing historic paddle wheel cruise around Point Pleasant. The offer really appealed to me and I quickly wanted to get a ticket for this senior citizen discounted trip. The golf lodge that became Hopatcong municipality property has seen a few government grant facelifts which also remolded its name from the Hopatcong Civic Center to the Senior Center. As a Senior Center, the daily indoor activities are administered under a government program. Before I could board the bus, I was handed the CONGREGATE MEALS INTAKE FORM to fill out and was told I needed to eat a meal there first before any trip reservations. It was disquieting to see the many personal questions asked on this Sussex County government form such as - social security number (optional); income status- monthly income below the poverty line; Race (Caucasians needed to mark Other). I found the Nutritional Risk Screening Circle Yes or No questions intrusive and unnecessary for a bus trip reservation. Listed was - “I have three or more drinks of beer, wine almost every day”; “I take 3 or more different prescribed or over the counter drugs a day”; and “I eat alone most of the time”.

These hardcopy (signature required) records bearing someone’s social security number, name, address and income status are being collected by the Hopatcong Borough recreational coordinator that also collects the forms of Stanhope attendees too. The full-time recreational office has its own separate office located at the Senior Center. Ironically, recent news articles have disclosed that Hopatcong Borough is under a lawsuit regarding the release of employee records that were posted on the internet. Why shouldn’t these Sussex County government intake forms implement safeguard security steps to ensure that this information does not wind up in the wrong hands or prying eyes too.

It appears the Division of Senior Services is increasing its meal attendance by marketing an events package that’s tied to the meal. Maybe they can simplify the program by just reaching the population that really needs a nutrition program. This would reduce wasted food from unwanted and untouched meals from those who just wanted to meet with their neighborhood friends. Also, people who want to attend their local community center to meet friends shouldn’t have to render vital information of one’s self to the Sussex County government.