Thank you Councillor Ray Watkins for proposing a motion to create a seniors advisory council in St. Albert (Gazette, Jan. 31). I was somewhat disappointed that it was not a unanimous vote. We are the fastest growing demographic and we will have greater needs as our longevity increases.
There are so many issues, transportation for example – we do not have a bus that just does a round trip in St. Albert. Getting on and off buses especially in inclement weather to get to particular places can be difficult. This type of trip would I am sure be useful to mothers with children. Affordable housing is another issue.
For some seniors it is not always easy to communicate using email or using the phone. It would be wonderful if there was a designated day when seniors could arrange to meet with a person on an advisory council and discuss what they deem as a problem which could be addressed in the city. Some seniors because of experience can have solutions to situations.
I am sorry that Councillor Natalie Joly thinks that seniors do not merit a way of communicating with council. A seniors advisory council has been working well in Edmonton for many years. We, the seniors in St. Albert, do represent a growing number of citizens. I do hope that when this advisory council becomes active the representative from St. Albert city council will be a person with an open mind enabling seniors to have valuable input in our city.
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
