July 11, 2002
Fairfax County seniors and disabled just got a $10,000 increase in the assets they can exempt from county taxation.
On July 3, The Seniors Coalition came to the Gum Springs Community Center on Fordson Road to honor County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and Mount Vernon District Supervisor, Gerald W. Hyland, for his role in making that happen.
On April 29, the Board of Supervisors increased the asset limit for tax relief from $150,000 to $160,000. This means that the elderly and disabled will be able to exclude an additional $10,000 in assets from taxes, thereby increasing their disposable income.
Hyland was presented with a medallion inscribed "Senior Guardian" by The Seniors Coalition national spokesperson, Flora "Grandma" Green. "We're here today to honor Supervisor Hyland for all the work he does on our behalf," Green ssaid as she hung the struck medal award around his neck.
In accepting the honor, Hyland said, "We haven't solved all our problems. There is much more to be done. I pledge I will continue to do all I can to help."
He noted that the Mount Vernon District "has the highest percentage of seniors than any other in Fairfax County. Government does the right thing only when the people tell them what the right thing is. When you have a room filled with citizens the elected officials will do the right thing."
BASED IN SPRINGFIELD at 9001 Braddock Road, The Seniors Coalition (TSC) is a national four million member non-profit, non-partisan organization that was begun in the early 1980's to "fight against the failed catastrophic coverage plan for medicare," according to Mary M. Martin, chairman and executive director.
Eighty year old Green travels throughout the nation, in a 37-foot motor coach, wrapped in a patriotic American Flag design, spreading the organization's message. She has visited 49 states on TSC's behalf.
"By raising the asset limit subject to taxation, we will have more money to pay for our prescription drugs and other necessities," Green emphasized to the group assembled at the Center.
The grassroots advocacy and action arm of the Coalition is the Senior Congress. It's primary activity is to lobby Congress and the state legislatures on issues impacting seniors.
"Last week we appeared on Capitol Hill to testify on prescription drug issues for seniors," C. McClain Haddow, Consultant to the Senior Congress Board of Directors, explained.
In addition to Hyland, the Coalition also recognized Vera Slaughter, Director, Gum Springs Community Center, for her work on behalf of senior citizens. "Prescription drugs are a real concern," she said. "The actions of the Senior Congress are a great benefit in helping this program."
Following the recognition ceremony, the group was invited to not only tour Green's motor coach, but also the Coalition's most recent addition to it's legislative arsenal, a new high-tech Mobile Activist Center. It is fully equipped with the latest communications technology to allow members instant access to their national and state representatives.
AS IT TRAVELS throughout nation, "It gives seniors everywhere the chance to use the power of the internet to communicate with other seniors and with their elected officials," Haddow explained.
On board the mobile center, those attending the ceremony were given the opportunity to register for TSC's new Senior Congress program. According to TSC literature, the program is modeled after the U.S. Congress. It is designed "to give seniors a more direct and effective way to communicate their concerns to their elected officials."
Seniors from all 50 states will serve as Senators and Representatives in the mock Congress, according to TSC. They will be given all the tools necessary to have them serve as a grassroots lobbying organization to maintain contact with elected officials at both the state and federal level on all issues impacting seniors, explained Drew Hiatt, TSC Vice President for Federal Government Affairs.
TSC is presenting its "Senior Guardian Medal of Honor" to each member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for adopting the asset limitation legislation. On Tuesday, it was presented to Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey, at the Sully Center.