By Sam Desai
Resident, Cerritos

Mayor,

It is good to finally see the Senior Commission become a reality.

I attended the meeting because this was one of the issues I strongly advocated for during my campaign. While I did not win the election, it is encouraging to see progress move forward for our seniors and community. Thank you for carrying the torch forward.

Residents and city leadership often agree on more issues than we realize. That is why open dialogue matters.

However, one concern stood out clearly during the meeting: the scope and authority of the commission itself.

Commissioners can listen to seniors. They can hear concerns. They can discuss ideas.

But according to the discussion, they may not be able to directly advise the council on budget priorities or financial recommendations tied to senior needs.

That creates a serious concern.

If the Senior Commission cannot meaningfully advocate for:

  • Senior Center funding
  • Expanded programming
  • Transportation needs
  • Additional services
  • Extended operating hours

Then what tools do they truly have to protect and improve the quality of life for our seniors?

Residents are being told that budget limitations may lead to reduced Senior Center hours. Yet the very commission created to represent seniors appears limited in its ability to formally advocate for funding solutions.

That should concern every resident.

Our seniors should not have to jump through layers of bureaucracy just to have their voices heard regarding essential services.

Cerritos has always prided itself on being a city that plans ahead. Being financially responsible should not mean reducing support for seniors who helped build this community.

There are residents throughout the city offering ideas, solutions, and pathways toward balanced budgets without cutting services that directly impact seniors.

Let us continue the dialogue.

Let us strengthen the commission's role.

And most importantly, let us remain good stewards of the generation that came before us.

Respectfully,
Sam Desai
Resident, Cerritos