The charge by some Farrell council members that racism fueled the purchase of property in Hermitage for a senior center has enraged many of the seniors attending programs at the center’s temporary home.

"I think that was a low blow," said Christine James, president of the senior association. "We don’t have any problems in our center."

Ms. James, who is black, said the racism charge was "just to cause a lot of stress."

Farrell council wanted the Shenango Valley Multi-Service Center back where it had been for years, at 1020 Spearman Ave., the former J.A. Farrell School.

Mercer County Area Agency on Aging board members had proposed renovating the old school and expanding it for a geriatric health center for Primary Health Network, building a new building at the site and moving to the former Farrell City Park. The agency also received other proposals.

The old school building has been an empty shell since asbestos was removed.

Last week, the agency agreed to buy a building and property on North Buhl Farm Drive in Hermitage and has until Friday to back out of the deal.

Senior activities have been temporarily housed at the Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church, Wheatland, but the church has asked the agency to leave by July 1.

"I have not experienced any kind of racism since I have been here in the agency," said Ruth Kiser, assistant director and 12-year employee.

Ms. Kiser, 70, of Sharon, is black.

"I resent this," she said of the charge of racism, "because it is not here."

Ms. Kiser’s feelings are "the general feeling of all of us," said center Director Floy Moreira. "We feel like it was a kick in the stomach."

"It’s been a topic all day," among seniors, Ms. Kiser said Wednesday morning.

In December, Ms. James said the seniors were split in their views of preferring 1020 Spearman or the former Farrell City Park.

But seniors also have no problems with the Hermitage site, Ms. James said

"We turned it over to the Lord and asked him to find us a home," said the Wheatland woman. "We just get along like a family."

Ms. Kiser said the seniors just want a place where they can be comfortable.

Ms. James referred to Farrell officials not making a financial donation to the center in saying, "If you’re not going to contribute, you don’t have a complaint."

Wheatland has already given $25,000 for the center, Hermitage has proposed giving $100,000 and agency officials said it looks like Sharon also will give $100,000.

Ms. Moreira said she’s looking forward to moving into the center, especially when it is expanded. The center needs better parking than the church offers and room to expand programs.

Attendance has dropped by one-third since the center moved to the church, she said. Tuesday’s attendance was 56, down from the 70 that the center had been attracting. Close to 100 attended the Christmas party.

Attendance at 1020 Spearman was never as good as could have been, Ms. Moreira said.

"We would develop wonderful programs and get few coming in because they were afraid," she said. "The Idaho (Street) area is really bad."

The old school is near Idaho Street.

But the seniors also are talking about future use of 1020 Spearman, if only in a sarcastic way.

Farrell council also has opposed a Restrictive Intermediate Punishment Program Day Reporting Center on Green Street because of complaints from residents. The center would offer treatment for drug and alcohol problems and other services to nonviolent offenders sentenced there by a Mercer County Common Pleas Court judge.

"We were thinking they could renovate the center and make it the halfway house," Ms. Moreira said, referring to the day reporting center as a halfway house.