by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
At the Mayor’s Older Buddies luncheon and award ceremony on Tuesday, hundreds of Jacksonville’s senior citizens listened as Mayor John Peyton spoke to them about the budget and how it affects them.
Because of the high temperatures outside, the event was moved from Metropolitan Park to one of the Jacksonville Fairgrounds air conditioned buildings. Before the mayor spoke to his “older buddies” he walked around and shook his guests’ hands.
Peyton said that even though he was speaking about the budget, and it isn’t the most fun thing to hear about, it is important that they understand how it affects them.
“The world has changed in the way we fund our government,” said Peyton. “We are at a point in time where we need to invest in our city.”
Peyton spoke to them about medical care, public safety, the St. Johns River, literacy, and volunteering. After hitting on each of those subject areas he left them with this: “This budget doesn’t diminish our commitment to seniors in Jacksonville.”
“We are striving to be the most senior friendly community in the country,” said Peyton. “I wanted to talk to them about topics that are relevant to them.
“Seniors represent a significant part of our community.”
Mickey Albert and Betty Smith have been coming to Mayor’s Older Buddies for several years.
“We always come and we always support senior activities,” said Albert.
Smith, who was the 2003 Senior Lifetime Achievement Award winner added that she too also comes out to support senior activities.
The Mayor’s Older Buddies gather at different times throughout the year, and this meeting was also an opportunity for Peyton to recognize the 2007 Senior Award winners. The awards are sponsored by the Mayor’s office and the Jacksonville-Duval County Council on Elder Affairs.
The 2007 Senior Award Winners are:
• The female Citizen of the Year Award - Madlen Mosen
• The male Citizen of the Year Award - Wilfred Ward
• Senior Lifetime Achievement Award - Sarah Van Cleve