Dear Editor,
I am 64 years old and am a very proud veteran. Other than the 11 1/2 years I served, I have lived in Marion County all my life. I am on Social Security but have been looking for a part-time job for several months now with no success.
From the applications I have submitted, I've received emails saying, “Thank you for your application, but you've not been chosen for the job.” But when I go by these places, they have hired someone a lot younger, making me feel my age has something to do with their decision. I even applied for a job in the "City" a few months ago but was never even sent an email and, there again, a younger person got the job.
Now, my experience might not be as current as others, but three years ago I was proud to work for a group of individuals where I answered phones, did filing, worked on the computer as well as helped individuals one on one. I felt like I was making a difference, but one day someone came to me stating they no longer needed my services but would not say why. When their legal counsel was asked, in a public place no less, they just blurted it out. But that's the past.
All I'm asking for is a chance to show that I might be old, as some people feel, but I still have the potential to be a good employee even if it's just part-time.
Tracey Clark,
Marion County
