Poole, representative to the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature, speaks at Rutherford County Senior Center

Clark Poole. Photo by Pat Nanney.

Clark Poole who represents Region C, Rutherford, Polk, McDowell and Cleveland counties, as a representative to the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature, spoke to participants at the Rutherford County Senior Center recently about his upcoming trip to Raleigh as an advocate for seniors in the state.

One goal of the group is to make funding for various programs for seniors recurring rather than being revisited in every budget and to include cost-of-living increases. Poole stated that the senior population is the largest voting block in the state, are a group of people who are important to the growth of Rutherford County and help make life better. He said we are fortunate to be in a county that cares about older citizens.

Prior to Poole's remarks Senior Center Director Tammy Aldridge spoke about the history of the county senior center which opened in 1980 in the building next to the Forest City Post Office. The present senior center building on Callahan-Koon Road in Spindale was completed in 1985. She complemented the staff of the center for their work in making it Senior Center Of Excellence which helps bring additional funds for programs and improvements at the center. Aldridge has been the director at the center since 2017 and listed some of the additions and improvements made during that time including new carpeting in many areas, additional machines for the exercise room, updates to the billiards room, improvements to the restrooms and a new ice machine and beverage area in the dining room. Aldridge called Clark Poole a "wonderful voice for seniors and the senior center."

Aldridge and Barbara Hill, program manager and senior games coordinator, received an enthusiastic round of applause from the participants for their work in providing activities and facilities for residents 55 years of age and older. The senate bill that established the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature was passed in 1993 and a special program is being planned for May to recognize the 30 years of positive impact on the most pressing issues facing older citizens.