CLARA CITY -- Clara City appears to be on track in providing the range and types of services desired by senior citizens in a small community.
A recent survey of senior citizens in the community gave the city high marks on many of the most important factors, City Council members learned at their meeting Wednesday. Amy Wilde, director of the Minnesota Living Well Community program, reported on the survey findings and presented council members with a "Minnesota Living Well Community" award for the efforts, reported Maurice Cordell, city administrator.
The survey results were based on the results of only 47 residents, and Wilde cautioned that it cannot be considered scientifically accurate. However, the response is sufficient to provide a good snapshot of the community, and identify both areas of strengths and weaknesses.
The survey indicated that senior citizens rate Clara City as a good place to live for a variety of reasons.
The respondents gave the city high marks as a safe place to live. They also gave the community high marks for a variety of both public and private services. They cited home health care, grocery and prescription drug delivery services, religious group support and home-delivered meal services as deserving their highest marks.
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The survey also revealed appreciation for the community's senior citizen center. They also rated the community well for having affordable housing and a street, sign and sidewalk system that makes getting around easy.
The survey also revealed areas where seniors would like to see improvements. They rated the regional transit service as adequate to poor. They also expressed a desire to see more recreational opportunities.
They'd like more outdoor recreation, such as a walking path, and access to a fitness center with exercise equipment and a pool.
Persons ages 65 and over comprise 31.7 percent of the community's population, according to the 2000 census. That is well above the state average of 13 percent, and is also higher than the percentage of seniors in other Chippewa County communities: Milan (26 percent), Montevideo (20.6 percent), Maynard (18 percent) and Watson (14.8 percent).
In other business, council members reappointed James Thein as chairman of the Clara City Care Center board and approved an increase in monthly compensation for Gene Wenstrom, who is contracted to provide economic development services to the community.
