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WARREN -- Trumbull County's eight SCOPE senior centers have temporarily stopped providing cash prizes as its leaders determine the best ways for the individual centers to handle money.
Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez discussed the issue at the commissioners' weekly workshop Tuesday because he said he received more than a dozen phone calls from seniors who want cash prizes restored.
In addition to the calls, Hernandez noted the other commissioners also received complaints about the change in policy from seniors who attend various centers.
Jeff Rasile, who recently was named executive director of Trumbull County SCOPE, said the complaints were overblown by a few people who use the centers.
"In the beginning of July, it was brought to our attention (because of) bingo, in regards to taking money in and giving money out," Rasile said. "We decided to put on a temporary moratorium on money in and money out."
The centers now are providing gifts, rather than cash prizes, to those who have winning bingo cards while they determine their legal responsibilities.
"We are good with bingo," he said. "The thing for us is very simple. Is it legal and what are the restrictions? And, then, on top of that, the oversight of what would be necessary for us to continue to do bingo, if we were to do it for money."
"We want to make sure, if we were to do it, we want it to be done right," he said. "We don't want issues a month from now. We are not here to shut down bingo, and we have not done that."
The SCOPE centers are losing money because of leaders having to buy prizes. Rasile said they do not charge for bingo cards and only 1% of the SCOPE center users participate in the bingo games.
"Actually, our bingo attendance has increased, not decreased," Rasile said. "We just want to make people happy."
Commissioner Denny Malloy said commissioners are trying to encourage more recreational activities among the county's senior population.
"This is a big issue among some seniors," Hernandez said.
Malloy said individuals and businesses could consider providing gift cards and other things that can be used as part of the prizes for the bingo games.
"It is a great way for businesses to help their local seniors," Malloy said.