September 3, 2010 — Sentinel and Enterprise
LUNENBURG -- Construction, health care and the economy were on the minds of residents at the Pearl Brook Senior Housing Complex Thursday, during an ice cream social with state Sen. Jennifer Flanagan and state Rep. Jen Benson.
"A lot of people are concerned about seeing elder services cut in the face of the current economy," said Benson, D-Lunenburg. "These people depend on those services. We have to keep that in mind as we make cuts to the budget."
Pearl Brook is in the midst of a major construction project that involves replacing the roofs of buildings and adding new porches, heating systems, sprinklers and windows to units.
Residents at Thursday's event said they've been pleased with how construction has progressed. Flanagan and Benson toured a completed unit.
"I think a lot of people here are anxious to see the work wrap up," said Flanagan, D-Leominster. "It's not easy living on a construction site, particularly if you're elderly. But they've been making the best of it."
About 20 seniors attended the event, which was hosted by Ed and Phyllis Boudreau.
"We also hosted one two years ago," Ed Boudreau said. "We think they're both terrific. They make a promise and they get it done. They are always trying to help somebody. That's not something you can say about too many politicians."
Flanagan said she's noticed support for a ballot question that would reduce the state's sales tax to 3 percent varies among the age groups she talks with.
"The younger population is less concerned about all of the programs that would have to be slashed because they don't utilize many of them," said Flanagan, who is opposed to the cut. "The older population is really concerned because they depend on many of these programs every day. We have to remember there are people behind these programs, they aren't just lines in a budget. Finding a balance between both sides is not easy."
Benson is running for re-election this November against Boxborough Republican Kurt Hayes. Flanagan is being challenged for her seat by Republican Neal Heeren.
