Well, I wondered how long it would before we heard that a few members of council would speak out against allowing seniors to have a say in council on policy issues that impact seniors. Yes, there are some seniors on boards, etc., but of the many seniors in St Albert they are not a statistically significant number!
I do not know how they got the estimated cost for such a committee – does that mean that the cost for other advisory committees start at that figure – or did someone pull the number out of a St. Albert budget hat like a magician’s rabbit?
Yes, there are groups like Seniors United Now but that is a provincial organization. I believe the Working Group in St. Albert is comprised of people who work in the field and are paid personnel who do a lot of networking to deal with service provision.
I was glad to see that Ray Watkins spoke up as his election platform was strongly supportive of a seniors’ advisory committee. I believe that was an indication of the importance of such a seniors committee to the electorate – but what do I know: plebiscite findings were also disregarded!
Seniors are a diverse group of individuals, we are a changing demographic and we are the fastest growing demographic. It would be wonderful if St. Albert city council were proactive in working in this area. In fact, at the first opportunity, I would be pleased to be part of such a committee – I am on no other seniors committee and so there would be no conflict of interest. The capital city of our region has had such a group for a long time and I am sure a Seniors Advisory Committee in St. Albert could play a great part in dealing with regional needs also.
If such a committee does not come to fruition after this has been mulled over, remember that this council does not sit in perpetuity, and perhaps our growing seniors population will come out in force in the next election and really make themselves heard!
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
