Letter to the Editor - Nitz: Brandon seniors deserve an available bus service

I was a long-term resident of Brandon. Brandon is a great town. However, one of the big things Brandon is lacking is a viable senior citizens center. (I am sorry, a VFW lounge, noisy coffeeshop are not viable options). Relatedly, is a bus service that can get seniors to not only medical appointments, but also other things they might enjoy. 

Brandon has no major medical clinics where seniors can go for testing, one grocery store, mostly fast-food restaurants, no clothing stores other than trendy boutiques, etc.

I was disappointed to read Bryan Read’s quote in the Journal basically saying that well Brandon businesses pay property tax for the bus so the bus should go to Brandon businesses. As Mr. Read knows, part of our property tax pays for county things. Also Mr. Read, seniors should have the same freedom to shop in Sioux Falls as other Brandon residents do. There is no bus service that I am aware of taking seniors from Brandon to Sioux Falls. 

As the article noted, our great local assisted living facilities have trouble finding spots for seniors since the two buses are filled with preschoolers. As Brandon grows, and our citizens age, Brandon needs to invest more infrastructure in its seniors (maybe as part of the new town hall?!?).

Michael Nitz

Sioux Falls