I recently saw the Pike County AAA Newsletter with the summer programs listed. So nice to see so many opportunities for our older adults. 

Having served as the director for more than 20 years, I can proudly say I was a big part of the initiation of four of the senior centers, which now provide a wealth of programs, information and nutritious meals.

It caught my eye that my opponent, Jeff Olsommer, is taking advantage of these centers and has set up shop in Matamoras for “helping sessions” with seniors. It’s great that he’s taking a new interest in our area’s older residents, and I’m glad the people of Matamoras and Dingmans Ferry have access to a representative of the state and to programs and applications they may not get otherwise. 

I hope Olsommer maintains this level of interest outside of campaign season. Unfortunately he has recently voted against a number of bills that would help seniors, such as the HB 2328,Older Adult as Mentors program, HB 1617, which enhances Legal Aid access to the community (last year 20,000 people were assisted by this beneficial program). He also voted against HB 2344, which increases transparency to seniors about their health care facilities and increases protections; and HB 1425, which helps ensure healthy families, as many of the seniors in our area are now caregivers for their young relatives and grandchildren.

These will be top of mind for me as I fight to expand medical resources, prevent elder abuse and support caretakers to ensure our seniors can safely age in place here in the 139th. 

I look forward to the summer and all the fresh produce—and cooling centers for those hotter-than-$&*# days. I will be working on securing more access to produce and more involvement of local growers, sharing recipes and helping farmers share their overstock with the community. Coming up is the senior picnic at Promised Land on August 2.

What will Jeff Olsommer be doing?

Robin Schooley Skibber
Candidate for the 139th District, House of Representatives
(for parts of Pike and Wayne County)