Cobb Senior Citizen Council honors East Cobb resident

Thanks to Linda Harris of the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County, which on Wednesday is honoring its citizens of the year at a special luncheon at the Cobb Senior Wellness Center in Marietta. John Huey, who’s heavily involved at the East Cobb Senior Center, is among the honorees, and here’s what she’s sharing about what he does not just at the center, but in the community:John Huey, Cobb Senior Citizen Council

John M. Huey has been an active member of the East Cobb Senior Center since 2008. Almost a daily visitor of the center, John M. Huey volunteers in any way possible to help keep the center running smoothly in its efforts to serve senior citizens in its immediate area. He is said to be up for any task, whether it be taking out the trash, answering phones, decorating for holidays, or serving as center ambassador/tour guide for newcomers who wish to learn more about the center.

John M. Huey monitors attendance, develops guidelines, and recommends equipment care for the at the East Cobb Senior Center’s billiard room where 16 to 30 people may be playing daily. His volunteer activities include Friends of East Cobb Senior Center, East Cobb Senior Center representative in and treasurer for the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County in Cobb EMC Owners Association and Friends of Mabry Park. 

John M. Huey, the son of a career army man and housewife, is the oldest of six brothers who all of whom were raised on military bases in Georgia, Germany, Austria and Oklahoma. He settled back in his birthplace of Atlanta, GA in 1968.

A lifelong Sooners fan, John M Huey attended the University of Oklahoma and University of Tulsa where he earned a degree in Preclinical and Industrial Psychology. He held corporate positions at Rich’s, Federated Department Stores and Macy’s for many years before retiring. 

John M. Huey, at the age of 78, demonstrates his belief in staying physically and mentally active by walking, weight lifting, practicing tai chi, yoga, participating in senior games, gardening and playing billiards. He and his wife Dianne, with whom he recently celebrated their 46th anniversary after first meeting at Rich’s, walk 2 miles daily. John M. Huey has run the Peachtree Road Race 27 times. After 10 years at the center, he is still an eager volunteer. 

 

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Senior Citizen Council of Cobb wants reconsideration of senior fees

After Cobb seniors were asked to pay a membership fee and pay higher fees for services at county senior centers this year, a senior citizens group is asking that they be eliminated or at least reconsidered.

At a recent Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting, June Van Brackle, president of the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County, cited a figure that fewer than 3,000 seniors are using the centers this year, compared to around 6,500 before the fees were imposed.

Earlier, commissioners set an annual membership fee of $60 a person to take part in activities at the senior centers.

In January, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce held a town hall meeting at the East Cobb Senior Center to get input on the proposed fees (see photo above) as part of the county’s budget process.

While some were upset by the membership fees and higher cost for activities fees and room rentals, he said “we’re all in this together.”

One group that regularly met at the East Cobb Senior Center has stopped having regular events there. The Foxtrotters Ballroom Dance Club, held a farewell dance in June after 21 years. They’re having a reunion dance there on Jan. 18.

Here’s more from Van Brackle’s remarks:

The Senior Citizens Council of Cobb is urging the Board of Commissioners to eliminate these mandatory fees. Cobb County is renowned for the services it offers to its residents. The reduction in participation at the five centers can only be a major detriment to the overall quality of life for Cobb seniors.

The Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County is an all-volunteer organization that has been in existence for 45 years and advocates for better public policies for Cobb seniors. The Council has always been against additional burden on our oldest citizens and if you are interested, we ask that you contact your commissioner and express your feelings regarding these fees.

Commissioners will be holding their semiannual retreat Monday at the Cobb Civic Center, and Boyce told Van Brackle to attend.

 

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