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BY ADELE L. MACKANOS
Times Staff Writer | Tuesday, January 27, 2004 | (No comments posted.)
HOBART -- Donations and a possible $8,000 grant could provide the vehicle for a bus service that would help the city's senior citizens reach the grocery store, shopping mall and medical centers.
Free bus service could become a reality by the end of the year, city officials said.
"We are working to create free local transportation for Hobart senior citizens by obtaining a bus through donations and a grant that will enhance the department's existing senior leisure program in 2004," Parks Superintendent Mike Farrell said.
The department has applied for an $8,000 grant through the Legacy Foundation that would help pay for a 15-passenger bus. The grant request is being considered next week by the foundation's board of directors.
Mayor Linda Buzinec said there is a great need for the service.
"It's very clear this project is vital to our community for a lot of reasons, but the most important is that at least half, maybe even more than half of our population are seniors who have a definite need for alternative transportation," she said.
Maryanne Nagy agrees there are many seniors in Hobart who can't drive because of physical handicaps or other factors.
"My mother Ann Bilyak is 89, and she's lived with me for 17 years," Nagy said. "She depends solely on me to transport her wherever she needs to go, but there are other seniors who can't drive anymore and can't rely on anyone to get them to their destinations. This bus service would provide them an option when and if the need arises."
Jan Smythe, program officer with the Legacy Foundation, said if the grant is approved, money for the bus service would be funneled from the Maria Reiner Senior Citizen Fund that was established by the trustees of the estate of the late Hobart resident.
Reiner had requested money be used from her estate to benefit Hobart residents.
"The Legacy Foundation manages a collection of funds that come from various donors in Lake County, and is steward of this fund," Smythe said.
Adele Mackanos can be reached at adelem@nwitimes.com or (219) 662-5338.
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