Manassas Park Seniors Meet With City Council

Residents of Park Place Senior Apartments questioned Manassas Park officials Tuesday night about how they could become better connected with the range of services the city provides for those 55 and over.

The Manassas Park City Council held a town-hall meeting in the community room of the 148-unit apartment complex that offers independent living for those who are at least 55. The finely landscaped complex is just off Manassas Drive in the eastern part of Manassas Park.

Of particular concern to residents are city emergency services, said Pat Reed, a six-year resident of the complex.

“When we fall and can’t get up, the (complex) staff are told not to help us up,” Reed said. “We call for an ambulance,but we are worried that there is a charge for helping us to get up.”

Council members expressed surprise that the complex did not have someone designated to help residents who had fallen. However, Manassas Park Mayor Frank Jones said that the city does not charge for an ambulance call unless a resident is transported to a medical facility like a hospital.

“That is something that the city provides as a service,” Jones said.

Sylvia Jordan, a two-year resident of the complex, wanted to know what types of services, and transportation, that the city provided for seniors.

Seniors looking for classes or recreation should start with the Manassas Park Community Center, which offers a wide range of age-appropriate activities, Jones said.

For example, the city is holding an hour-long exercise class, Senior Strength & Sculpt, this morning at the center that is part of the Senior Passport program that gives participants access to programs for one set fee.

There are a multitude of other activities listed on the community center’s calendar for seniors almost every morning.

Because many of the seniors don’t drive, Jones said, the city purchased a wheelchair accessible bus to transport them to the community center. Jones also promised to help set up an absentee voting booth at the complex to make it easier for residents to vote in the upcoming November elections.

Overall, Jones was upbeat about the future of the 15,000-resident city.

“We have been through a real tough time, in recovery mode, for several years,” Jones said, “But I think things are getting better. I know it’s been especially hard on those on fixed incomes.”

Tetsuo Koyama, a resident at the complex since 2004, said he was happy with the town hall meeting.

“This is really good and we think this will be very helpful to talk with them about things that need to be done,” he said.