Senior Citizen Demands Restoration of Meal Services at Cobb Center

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A Pensacola senior citizen asked City Council Tuesday night to help restore meal services at the E.S. Cobb Center that were discontinued by Council on Aging following a staff dispute.

Rosa Johnson told council that Council on Aging stopped providing meals to seniors at the Mallory Street facility in August, citing a conflict between a Council on Aging employee and a city employee.

"Why are we being penalized and city, state, and federal grant money is being utilized by the Council on Aging to pick and choose where they want to serve meals?" Johnson asked. "Why are we being eliminated from these services because of a conflict between two individuals?"

Johnson argued that Council on Aging's 501(c)(3) nonprofit commitment states they would serve meals to seniors, not pick and choose which centers receive services based on employee conflicts.

Deputy City Administrator Amy Miller confirmed the city is aware of the situation and has reached out to Council on Aging on numerous occasions seeking a compromise solution.

"We have spoken to the staff at Council on Aging. We've spoken to board officers at the Council on Aging," Miller said. "It truly is Council on Aging's decision on where they choose to provide meals. We've contacted them with numerous compromise solutions for how to restore meals at that site, and we've been refused at every turn."

Miller emphasized that the decision on meal service locations rests entirely with Council on Aging, not with the city. Johnson indicated she may pursue legal action if the issue isn't resolved.