Concerns Rise Over Staff, Programming, and the Future of the Life Center

The William N. Pennington Life Center, a hub for senior life in Fallon, is facing growing concern from community members over staffing, reduced programming, and day-to-day operations. Some seniors who utilize the Life Center say they are beginning to think that they are not the primary focus of those who manage its operation. So great is the concern that a petition was recently launched among seniors, calling for change.

Beginning in 1991, the Coalition for Senior Citizens operated the senior center, which was then located on Court and South East Streets in Fallon. When the new William N. Pennington Life Center opened on South Maine Street in 2017, the coalition continued to operate as the center’s governing body. In 2021, Churchill County Social Services fully took over governance of the Life Center when commissioners unanimously voted to restructure operations.

Buster Pierce, program services director at the time, said the decision felt rushed and punitive, driven by political motivation.

Some Life Center seniors and former staff, who asked that their names not be used, are expressing similar sentiments today.

Concerns over Social Services’ management of staff have been raised, with some seniors pointing to the loss of former Aging and Disability Services Director Jill Manha, who resigned in late February. Additional staff departures have added to uncertainty about the center’s future, even though an interim manager was assigned to oversee the Life Center.

According to Spross, the county assigned Carlie Cushing as interim manager for the Life Center. He emphasized this was an interim position and the county is actively recruiting for a new Aging and Disability Services Director.

Additionally, Spross explained that this assignment was not something that needed to go before the Board of County Commissioners for approval. “Unless a step increase is requested, we can place someone in such a position,” he said.

At the time Manha resigned, Cushing was filling in with Meals on Wheels. The decision to place Cushing, who was officially working with grants, was made by Ernst, Spross, and human resources. “Based on time that was spent at the Life Center, she was the best choice,” said Spross. “The other option is worse—to have no one.”

Former Social Services Director Shannon Ernst was recently hired as the administrator for the Central Nevada Health District and is now serving only in an interim capacity with Social Services, a role the county is also working to fill.

Other concerns include the loss or reduction of certain programs, such as the pet program, which assists seniors with veterinary care, pet food, and grooming, due to funding limitations. Seniors have also raised questions about the quality of meals and the future of the beauty shop. Spross confirmed, despite speculation of major renovations, the only project beyond routine maintenance is planned upgrades to the salon, which is currently out for bid.

Construction of the Life Center was made possible through joint funding provided by the City of Fallon and Churchill County, along with $2 million in grant funds from the William N. Pennington Foundation. The William N. Pennington Life Center name has been replaced with Churchill County Social Services William N. Pennington Life Center – down to the letterhead and on the county’s website. Some seniors worry that the name is not the only thing that has changed, but that the identity and sense of community connection tied to the Life Center may also be shifting.

Churchill County Manager Chris Spross said he had not been made aware of these concerns, nor, to his knowledge, had the county received any specific complaints.

“We are trying to do the best we can for seniors and people that utilize CART and Meals on Wheels,” said Spross, who hopes the county will find a new director for the Life Center soon.

One senior wasn’t so sure, stating, “It's not a senior center. That's what we are told all the time; it’s a life center… but if you look outside underneath the big flag out there, it says the senior center… and if we don't have something for the seniors, where are the seniors going to go?”