Joslyn Senior Center members urge city review after abrupt director firing

Two longtime members of the Joslyn Senior Center addressed the Palm Desert City Council during non-agenda public comment on Sept. 9, asking the city to look into the abrupt termination of the center's director, Dr. Jay Seller.

Jana Korchinski told the council members the center's membership had lost confidence in the Cove Community Senior Association board and criticized the board's failure to explain the firing; she said a board president who does not live in the Coachella Valley presides over a board that lacks representation from Joslyn Center members. Korchinski credited Dr. Seller with strengthening the center's programs, expanding donations, improving outreach to disabled seniors, adding pickleball courts and making the facility cleaner and more inviting.

Soraya Lavasani expanded on the concern, reiterating that members were not represented on the board, that financial books were not shared upon request and that members had not been notified of board meetings. Lavasani said she had to insist on attending a recent board meeting and expressed concern over a newly hired guard protecting the board.

Council members heard both public comments; the matter arose during the public-comment period and no formal action was taken during the meeting. Korchinski and Lavasani asked the council to investigate board governance and consider reinstating Dr. Seller. The council did not schedule a formal hearing or staff report on the subject at the Sept. 9 meeting.