Hate driving to Topeka to make a point with Kansas officials? There’s an easier alternative for older Kansans and their families just around the corner.

Abilene, Concordia, Council Grove, Ellsworth, Emporia, Manhattan, Marion and Salina are all points where you can be linked by telephone conference call to Secretary on Aging Connie Hubbell for an annual open meeting. Asking questions and making statements is not only allowed, but expected.

Purpose of the meeting is to seek public input on the needs of elders in Kansas in order to begin preparing the FY 2004 budget. Questions about next year’s budget (FY 2003) will also be addressed. The open meeting is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday June 12. It will last until 3 p.m.

With recent and dramatic shortfalls in revenue and a new tax package just approved, there are lots of questions about how resources for the aging will be affected, said Julie Govert Walter, executive director of the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging in Manhattan.

Those wishing to travel to Topeka may attend the open meeting in person on the third-floor conference room at 503 S. Kansas Avenue.

If you wish to present testimony, you must also bring a written copy of the testimony to submit, according to The Kansas Department on Aging. If participants have special needs or need reasonable accommodations, they should contact Sheli Sweeney at 785.296.5222.