Senior Center Director hopes to pass the torch

Janna Gage, who has been at the helm of the La Conner Senior Center for nearly 15 years, gave the Town Council notice that she’ll be stepping down in April.

The Senior Center was organized in 2002, as a department of the town, and Gage has been its volunteer coordinator the whole time.

From day one, she and a small cadre of original members have maintained a vibrant program with services and activities for seniors who meet every Tuesday at Maple Hall.

Gage says 15 years is long enough and she wants to move on and do other things in life. Also, many of the original volunteers are in their 80s now, she said and volunteers are scarce in the upcoming “baby boomer” generation of retirees.

“This generation feels very differently about volunteering their time than my generation does,” Gage told the council.

She said it’s time to turn the job over to someone younger with a broader vision and skills, including the ability to maintain a website.

Gage asked the council to hire somebody part time to take over when she steps down.

With a shortage of volunteers, it is unlikely the town will find people to put the work and time into keeping the senior center functioning without pay, she said.

Gage left the meeting after her plea to the council, but her words did not fall on deaf ears.

The town policy makers, who are in the middle of planning next year’s budget, added to their list of financial challenges to consider a way to fund a director position for the senior center.