JOY Center Seniors Say Disputed Items Now Returned

Seniors of the former Millcreek JOY Center announced in a Monday press conference that all items in dispute, have been returned.

"We have agreed to all of this because Millcreek Township has assured us that these are the final steps to end our relationship and move forward," said Dee Hartle, a senior center member and spokesperson for the seniors. "The dispute of items that are claimed by the township have been returned," she said.

But it's a statement the township says they can't verify.

"I can't even confirm they (the items) have all been returned," said Millcreek supervisor, John Groh. "I have no more further comment on this. This is still a police matter that's being investigated, and that's all I can say about the matter right now," he said.

Millcreek supervisors closed the center at 2709 Legion Road in August. But then in early September, said items like tables, chairs, computers, and TV's were missing from the center.

Previously, the seniors said they believe any items donated to the joy center belong to the seniors, and not the township. But now, they just want the whole ordeal to be over.

"Although they (the seniors) have a vested interest in the disputed items, the continuing and mounting costs of battling the township over these minor issues is no longer worth us having to put up with abuse and power being displayed by Millcreek township," Hartle said. "Using police force to settle what has been and what will always be a civil matter, has turned into a real circus," she said.

"The JOY Center is now focusing on developing a new and improved facility," she said.

MECA, the group originally hired by the township to manage the JOY Center, says they will continue helping the seniors find a new facility.

"We're proud to say that MECA has come up in the talks as an organization that they want involved to continue the dream of many seniors in Millcreek to have their own senior center," said Carl Anderson, the board president of MECA.

As for as the investigation over the disputed items, MECA criticizes the township's handling of the situation.

"Millcreek township unfortunately decided to use the police as their agent to solve this civil matter," Anderson said. "The amount of taxpayer money being wasted in this particular thing is absolutely ludicrous, but it's the way the supervisors have decided to do business," he said.

Until the seniors find a new location, they will continue to meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the West Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

Millcreek detectives attending the press conference declined to comment.

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