You seem to have a few misconceptions about Penick Village that I want to clarify so that you can better understand the reasons for, and the need for, tax-exempt status.

In the first place, Penick is definitely not a community of affluent seniors, as you stated in your recent editorial. Seniors, yes, but not all affluent by any means. Approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of the residents receive financial assistance from an endowment fund that was created by private donations for that purpose. No resident has ever been asked to leave because of inability to pay and never will be, as that is an established policy. Furthermore, there are a limited number of scholarships available for new applicants, so the big bucks that you implied are required at the front door are simply not true.

Secondly, Penick has not only taken on the Meals on Wheels program that St. Joseph has discontinued, but this is in addition to the 65 meals cooked five days a week for the past 25 years.

I’m glad you mentioned the Kinder-Elder Care program at Penick. Many of your readers will be happy to learn that when the building expansion is completed, there will be a new facility that will accommodate a much larger program.

One way these services to the area are recognized is for the state to allow a property-tax exemption. This it has done, thankfully. I hope my letter will convince you, too, that it is well deserved.

I would like to dispel another myth –– namely that living at Penick Village is very costly. Not so. The monthly fee that is paid is extremely reasonable, considering the many services and provisions that are included.

Betty Van Dusen