Grumpy old men, by Laura Briggs
Did you know that Grumpy Old Men Part III held auditions this Summer at Fairbanks?
Chair Council on Aging (COA)Paul Marotta auditioning for Walter Matthau’s role and SHT Jeff Levine going for Jack Lemmon’s role.
After listening to multiple committee meetings this Summer, hearing Jeff Levine asking people to take a stand on his concerns – This is the first time I have actually heard a group disagree with Jeff’s position.
On August 10th, 2026, video (7:30), Paul Marotta states that an individual has asked Paul to speak at the COA meeting to get a vote on whether the outdoor area behind the senior center should be exclusive for senior use only. Apparently, some P&R camper kids had been sitting on “our” (seniors’) furniture, eating lunch, laughing – An hour each day, during camp.
In addition, P&R recently installed a large screen on the building and Paul wanted to know if P&R was going to show some movies. Paul wants to talk with P&R Dir Vivian Zeng about the ruckus.
One of the nice ladies defends P&R use of the back area, stating that no seniors are using the area in the Summer as it is too hot, and the P&R needs electricity to run the bouncy houses.
At (10:21) Paul doubles down stating that when this was built the intention was the senior center would have exclusive rights to the multi-purpose rooms – he is interrupted with the nice lady stating this is the Community Center and this is a SHARED space (You go, girl!!!)
At (12:13) “Well, the individual that approached me (Jeff Levine) was pretty influential in getting this building built, with all due respect. He is pretty passionate about this function and that is why he asked me to bring this to the COA for a vote.” Fortunately, another nice lady mentions “that is an individual and not a community”. Everyone at the table disagrees with the motion to restrict use by children.
At (14:33) it is noted that the senior center has not been utilizing the bocce ball or horseshoes, despite game lessons. No seniors have been showing up for the indoor lessons for cornhole. It was noted the games were held indoors to avoid weather concerns, yet zero attendance.
At (15:13) Paul states he understands what everyone is saying but he is just the messenger here, that he was solicited by the individual to put this motion on the agenda to restrict use of the outdoor backyard area to seniors only.
Paul asks to take a motion to allow P&R to use the space and is interrupted by the group who tells him there is no need to take a motion for a restriction that is not currently in place. Paul tries yet again for seniors to have exclusive right to back yard, multipurpose room & other rooms.
The conversation pivots to none other than Sewataro, the second topic that Jeff Levine ask the COA to address – The Council on Aging noted more cons than pros for senior housing at Sewataro:
· The property is hilly and not easily walkable
· Location is remote and not close to shopping & amenities
· Driving could be dangerous in the winter on the narrow roads
At (24:24) Paul Morotta noted that not many people are advocating for senior housing at Sewataro.
Paul states (24:26) Jeff Levine’s concept that all the recreational projects proposed at the public input session are going to cost the town money. He noted on a recent day in Early August the Town opened Sewataro up for swimming, and 7 people showed up.
Paul notes (31:51) – yard signs stating “No development at Sewataro” are all over town. Not going to be an easy process to sell the idea of senior housing at Town Meeting.
The discussion continues as a repetition of other committee meetings, and closes with the desire to hire a consultant to do a study to have more information.
Link to the recording:
https://imd0mxanj2.execute-api.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ssr/watch/6a7b61ce9fa5b7000252ef17
