Flint senior center director responds to city's public message

FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) – There has been some confusion about the future of a mid-Michigan senior center after the city of Flint put out a public message.

It started with the city of Flint putting out a public message debunking rumors that the Hasselbring Senior Center is being sold or closed.

Now, the director of the senior center is responding.

Last week, the city said the senior center will remain open free of charge for all senior citizens, saying they’re working with the provider that manages the center to come to an agreement about the terms of a new lease after the old one expired.

However, according to the city, the current service provider has been hosting events that include alcohol, which isn’t allowed on any property owned by the city. The city said they’ve sent multiple cease-and-desist orders to stop events with alcohol, which is why the administration needed to intervene.

Hasselbring Senior Center director Beverly Lewis said she was not properly made aware of the city’s concerns, saying she found out by seeing and reading their public statements, and according to her, the cease-and-desist letters were not properly delivered. Instead, she said they were sent to personal emails.

Lewis provided a statement to TV5:

During negotiations, we had conversations about third-party rentals, and the fact that some of them allow alcohol at their events. We have the requirement of security, liquor licenses when serving and liability insurance provided by the renter. We assured the city that there were provisions in place to protect, not just Hasselbring, but also the city if there were any issues. Never once did they say alcohol is not allowed. What the mayor fails to acknowledge and understand is that although we were not happy with the final terms of the lease, we signed it because we felt we had no other choice

She said she has not heard from to the mayor or city administration since the city’s message about the Hasselbring went out on Sept. 18.

TV5 spoke to some of the people at the senior center on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Some had heard about the dispute, but above all, wanted to make sure they can keep the resource of the center open.

“I like the activities here. Playing pool, lunches, everything. I’d like to keep it going, keep it going,” one senior said.

Lewis is also asking for the city to show the spending information related to the funding received by the city for Hasselbring.

TV5 reached out to the city of Flint to discuss the Hasselbring Senior Center, but we’re still waiting to hear back.

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