PR Stunts vs. Basic Needs: A Tale of Missing Priorities …

Councilmember Donald Abbott on KOLO News 8 Morning Break - January 14, 2025.

Well, folks, here's your contrast in senior advocacy. Washoe County Commissioner Mike Clark is blowing up Facebook attempting to get Washoe County seniors some decent food to eat, not just a cold sandwich, calling the press; bringing the food to county meetings showing department directors and staff what is being fed to seniors.

Washoe County Human Services Senior meal post from Commissioner Mike Clark’s Facebook page - January 13, 2025.

But in Sparks their senior advocate Councilmember Abbott is mounting his own press campaign, touting himself, crafting heartfelt Valentine's cards (how quaint), to be handed out to senior citizens in February. Councilmember Abbott makes sure there are enough valentines to accompany Meals on Wheel deliveries as he mentioned on KOLO yesterday.

Hey, Councilmember Abbott, heads up, we think the seniors would like some food they can eat, a hot meal instead of five days of cold sandwiches which we ponder if the “meal” meets state or federal guidelines. But where the heck are you? That’s right you’re on KOLO TV Morning Break with Katie Roshetko talking valentines and not food. Find a spine and bring up something important, no it’s all Abbott self-promotion.

You'd think someone who waves the "I Love Seniors" flag would be raising hell about the county serving meals that would make prison food look gourmet. It is what all Sparks seniors are taking about at the Sparks Senior Center, they are the folks who brought up all the problems with the county’s temporary kitchen. But Abbott is staying about as spicy as unseasoned tofu - quietly watching from the sidelines while seniors choke down another cold sandwich.

Sure, handmade cards are sweet - but the last time we checked, you can't eat construction paper hearts.

While Sparks is busy with arts and crafts hours, Washoe County seniors are playing "guess what's in this sandwich" - a game nobody asked to play. But hey, at least they'll have a lovely card to read while they're waiting in the cold for their turn in the too-small dining room.

Come on, Councilmember Abbott. While you're busy being as bold as beige wallpaper, actual seniors are suffering through meals that would make a vending machine blush. Time to trade that milk toast energy for some real advocacy. Or is that too much to ask of our "champion" for senior rights thus making him an “advocate” in name only.

Perhaps someone should serve him a week's worth of Washoe County's finest cold sandwiches. Might add some fire to Abbott’s tepid response.

Abbott should be using all his press time to advocate for seniors who are being served cold sandwiches since Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Here's a radical thought: Maybe instead of Valentine's Day cards, we could focus on serving food that doesn't feel like it came from a gas station clearance rack? Just saying.