Residents of Port Angeles voiced their concerns during a recent government meeting regarding the treatment of a long-standing political roundtable group at the local senior center. The group, which has met for over 25 years, has faced backlash following the trespassing incident involving two members, Lynn and Gary. Nathan West, a city official, informed the group that they could no longer be sponsored by the senior center due to concerns about their political discussions potentially jeopardizing the center's nonprofit status.

Several attendees expressed their frustration, arguing that the decision feels retaliatory and undermines the group's contributions to the community. One resident highlighted the importance of the roundtable as a forum for seniors to engage in political discourse, stating that it provides a vital outlet for discussion on local and national issues. They emphasized the need for a grievance process to address conflicts rather than resorting to punitive measures like trespassing.

Another speaker, Gary Martin, called for management changes at the senior center, advocating for clearer policies and procedures to prevent minor disagreements from escalating into serious issues. He pointed out that the current management has failed to engage meaningfully with members, leading to feelings of harassment and disrespect.

Sandra Bridal, a member of the political roundtable, urged the council not to neglect the needs of senior citizens, stressing the group's role in fostering community harmony and well-being. She expressed hope for a resolution that would allow the group to continue meeting without further conflict.

Donna Peterson, representing the senior citizen advisory group, reiterated the call for a review of the senior center's policies, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the process. She expressed concern that the recent communications from city officials have only heightened fears of retaliation among group members.

The meeting underscored the ongoing tensions between the senior center's management and its members, with residents seeking a collaborative approach to resolve the issues at hand. The council members were urged to commit to an open dialogue and a fair review of the policies governing the senior center to restore trust within the community.