Stroud city officials are seeking federal funds to help purchase a new vehicle to facilitate the needs of their Senior Citizens.
City Manager Bob Pearman explained, “We are seeking the grant for a 15-passenger bus or a 14-passenger van. The one we have now is in terrible condition,” he noted.
Pearman said, “The old bus is a 2010 model. The windshield is cracked, the air conditioner doesn’t work, there is a hole in the heater core and the wheelchair lift doesn’t function,” he stressed.
The city manager pointed out, “the bus is used to deliver meals to the homebound, to take homebound to doctor appointments, grocery runs, transportation to the Senior Citizens building and on occasion recreational outings.”
Pearman said the cost of the vehicle they are hoping to purchase runs from $80,000 to $104,000.
He indicated the estimated cost of the 15-passenger vehicle they would like to purchase is $102,000.
The federal grant that Stroud is seeking from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation would pay for 85 percent of the cost with the remainder coming from the city.
“It would help us to better serve and provide mobility to elderly, physically and mentally disabled persons allowing them the accessibility to the benefits,” the grant application states.
Pearman emphasized and reiterated, “The current vehicle needs costly repair. It’s 12 years old and undependable.
“We are hopeful we can get it this year,” Pearman said.
The city manager related that lunch meals are served Monday through Friday and the current vehicle, as would the new one, is used to transport senior citizens to and from the center.
Those without means are also assisted getting to doctor’s offices, the bank and grocery store as well.