In this series, MyRye.com will introduce readers to the boards and commissions of the City of Rye and the residents who run them. All volunteers, these residents give their time and expertise to keep our city running. The series is intended to bring visibility to what each board and commission does, its priorities and what might prompt a resident or another person or company to interact with the group.
We have made our best efforts to reach out to each board and commission chairperson directly or via City officials. If you are a board or commission chair and have not been contacted, or if you are a reader with feedback on this series, please get in touch with MyRye.com.
Meet the Senior Advocacy Committee and its Co-Chairs Nancy Haneman and Michele Thomas.
Your Names: Nancy Haneman, Michele Thomas
Name of the Board or Commission you chair: Senior Advocacy Committee
Your role: Co- Chairs
MyRye.com: What is the charter for your Committee?
Thomas:
- Rye Senior Summit – One day program with presentations for seniors on topics such as long term care, scams targeting seniors, estate planning and Q&A
- Rye Senior Directory – Directory of services for Seniors
- Advocating for Rye seniors who live at Rye Manor such as, smoking concerns, parking concerns and various other topics
Looking at 2024, what will be your top initiatives?
Thomas:
- Senior Summit – Every 2 year event next one is 9/2024
- Emergency Preparedness, partnering with Rye City to address our most venerable older Rye citizens in an emergency.
- Keeping the Directory up to date
Haneman: Our top initiatives for 2024 are working on emergency preparedness for bedridden/home bound seniors. We will also hold another Senior Summit on September 25, 2024 at Rye Recreation from 10am – 2pm. The last summit two years ago was very well attended. We had a wide variety of speakers and activities. We are just beginning to plan this year.
Who is the City Council liaison to your Committee for 2024?
Thomas: Rye Mayor Josh Cohn
Tell us about the residents or others you interact with at your Committee.
Thomas: We mostly interact with seniors and those who provide services to seniors in Rye. For example, Rye Seniors came the committee to help get more pool days. Rye Golf allows seniors to obtain a day pass at a reduced price unfortunately the times were very limited. The committee asked for additional days on behalf of the Rye Seniors. After some discussion the days were granted.
Also, after recent storms the group was lead to investigate and how special need seniors are accommodated with in shelters. We are currently working with neighboring communities to find out how they identify special needs and the process on getting them to shelters that can accommodate needs such as oxygen, C and Bi Pap machines, specialty nursing situations and others. This is a collaboration with the city and county. We are still working thought the discovery and formulating a plan.
When was your Committee chartered by the City of Rye?
Thomas: It has been around a long time, I am not exactly sure how long. I am trying to find out. Current committee members: The committee is comprised of a representative from Rye Manor, Barbara Brunner Rye resident/Volunteer, Barbara Hughes, Rye YMCA, Vivian Linder LCSW-R, Linda Ritacco Rye Seniors, Jenifer Perri Senior Program Coordinator Rye Recreation, Michele Thomas The Osborn/Osborn Home Care
Looking back across 2023, what were your Committee’s top achievements?
Thomas:
- Senior Summit
- Continuing the Directory
- Advocacy for Rye seniors to address parking, and extend pool time for seniors at Rye Golf Club and any bring other senior related issues to the commission.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in the role?
Thomas: Nancy 5 years, Michele 4 years
What is your day job?
Thomas: Nancy is retired and a tireless volunteer in Rye, she has also been the president of SPRYE and various other organizations. Michele is the Executive Vice President of Osborn Home Care
Haneman: I am retired and have been involved with SPRYE since its inception.
How much time does your role require in a typical month?
Thomas: Nancy spends more time than [me], she wonderfully follows up with meeting minutes, and reminders of meeting and items that are due.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Thomas: Nancy did not answer so I will say hers: Advocate! [For me] – Martha
Pick one:
Thomas:
| Select from: | Your Pick: |
| Coke or Pepsi? | Nancy neither/ Michele Coke – My husband works for Coke I have to say it! |
| Regular or diet? | Both Diet |
| Action movie or rom com? | Nancy – Michele Rom com |
| Cook, order in or eat out? | Both out |
| Dog, cat or no pet? | Neither have pets but both love dogs J |
| Balsamic vinaigrette or ranch? | Both BV |
| Ruffles Original, Lay’s Barbeque or Funyuns? | Hmmmm |
| Still, sparkling or tap? | Both Tap |
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Thomas: Nancy in Rye for over 40 Years. Michele Mount Kisco – worked in Rye for 9 years.
Thanks Nancy and Michele!
