Laketran’s new service great for community

BOUQUETS>> To Laketran on offering free service to and from Lake County senior centers.

The transit agency recently announced it would be offering door-to-door, Dial-a-Ride transportation to and from any Lake County senior center free of charge for county residents 60 and older.

Free transportation will also extend to seniors traveling to and from volunteer activities with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, after approval by the organization.

The service is possible thanks to funding from the county senior services levy.

“Removing transportation barriers for seniors is an important component in addressing social isolation by enabling individuals to more fully participate in an active community life,” said Alyea Barajas, senior services coordinator for the Lake County commissioners.

“Lake County is fortunate to have many wonderful opportunities to be socially engaged at the local senior centers and with RSVP.

“We are thankful for Laketran’s ability to help us offer this service to seniors in a manner that is convenient and easy to access.”

Laketran CEO Ben Capelle added that senior centers remain the agency’s third-mostfrequent destination, after places of work and medical trips.

“In the past we have operated programs with individual senior centers, but by consolidating the program at the county level, not only will it be managed more efficiently, but the partnership will guarantee all seniors in Lake County have the same access.”

“What’s best about this partnership is it’s easy for seniors to understand,” Capelle said.

“Simply, if you’re over 60, Laketran can get you to any senior center in the county and it’s free.”

According to a University of Michigan study, one in five elderly adults is socially isolated from family or friends, increasing their risks for poor mental and physical health, as well as higher rates of mortality.

We applaud Laketran and the Lake County commissioners for helping eliminate barriers so seniors can remain more socially active.

And we thank voters for their support of the levy that makes it all possible.

BOUQUETS>> To Chester Township’s Michael Douglas on being honored as a recipient of the Community Building award as part of Ohio’s 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.

Douglas is being honored for his work as the founder of Diversity Initiatives, Inc.

The company was established to offer consultation to institutions to better promote inclusivity and to “advance positive interaction and communication across racial, cultural, socio-economic and gender-based boundaries,” according to a company release.

“What we’ve discovered is whether you’re talking about race, LGBT issues, religious issues, they are all emotionally charged, sensitive, very difficult conversations to navigate,” Douglas said.

“Our process is to help them grow in their comfort level of having the conversation first, and more importantly, moving from words to actual action.

“Instead of being reactionary and waiting for a set of circumstances to present themselves that are usually very negative where there’s a threat of being sued or getting bad press, we try to get them to be more proactive than preventative.”

While the award is connected to Martin Luther King Jr., Douglas feels that “we’re not doing enough” to properly honor his legacy.

“I think Dr. King would be very disappointed in the state of affairs in terms of some of the dialogue and division that is going on in this country,” he said.

“That makes me very sad, but it also inspires me to work that much harder. It makes the conversations around the diversity area that much more contentious and difficult to navigate, but it’s not impossible.”

We think Dr. King would be proud of Douglas’ efforts. We certainly are.

BRICKBATS >> To the Ohio man who thought it was a good idea to do doughnuts in a parking lot with his two children in the car.

Police in Riverside say the man he had just bought the Pontiac G8 when he struck a power pole while doing doughnuts in the snowy lot.

The crash sent him and his two children to the hospital.

Police say the man apparently lost control and hit a live power pole, knocking the pole over and leaving the car with a crumpled front end.

Police say the man will be cited for reckless operation.

We hope everyone involved is doing well, and that the driver has learned a valuable lesson.

It only takes a moment for a vehicle to turn into a deadly weapon.

Why increase the odds with such foolishness?