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Friendly to Seniors - Sudbury |
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With our old adult and seniors population ever growing this forum on behalf of older adults (and other citizens) was created by Friendly to Seniors through a series of half hour "programs" featuring various topics and special guests. Your comments are welcome and can be addressed to opinions.fts@gmail.com. The listing of programs to date is provided below. Thank you for your interest and remember if you have a topic you would like discussed let us know.
Chair of Friendly to Seniors Sudbury and Vice-President of the local
Chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) John
Lindsay speaks out in a series of three videos related to matters of
community concerns.
The first video recorded this week deals with the lastest
devlopments concerning downtown development and parking, legacy
projects including casino and Maley Drive.
The second video
discusses the future of Sudbury, proposed developments, the current
economic situation - growth or no-growth scenarios costs vs
revenues, the arts scene etc.
The third short video
reveals the cost of a new arena wherever built - the cost of
borrowing - a possible alternative.
For those who have time
the final video was recorded at the studios of CKLU - an appearance
with radio host Lionel Rudd in which many issues were discussed.
Disclaimer: my remarks
are based on surveys and input from many seniors, however we do not
pretend to represent all older adults and seniors or other
citizens.
A recent comment
received from a viewer of the most recent video, but has
reference to material covered in the others, which I think has
considerable merit and from which I quote below:
"Enjoyed the presentation John. It will give anyone who
watches it an opportunity to rethink their positions on the
issues you mentioned. I think we need to think in terms of
generalized statements such as wants
vs needs that you have already mentioned. We need to use
similar statements as general guidelines for our policy going
forward at the level of council. One
that I proposed was - no
new infrastructure until we reach capacity on present
infrastructure. That would do away with Maley Drive at
least in its present form. Connected
to that would be - If
we cannot afford to effectively maintain what we have do not
build more. This
would act as a break on overenthusiastic traffic department and
others among city staff. Another statement would be - Do
not plan for future growth without compelling evidence that it
will occur. This
one would put our council in touch with the real world and guard
against wishful thinking. An important one in the confusing
morass that amalgamation has created would be - Do
not be intimidated by staffs’ knowledge. Judge them by their
past results. It is part of the record. Tell
staff what citizens require and judge them by their results.
That way the dog is waving the tail and not the other way
around. Amalgamation has given staff too much power. Council
should also be aware of this fact - The
Amalgamated City is not a city but a region in drag.
This means there are not enough councilors to effectively
represent all the diverse needs of this huge region let alone
understand the needs. Many citizens are beginning to wake up to
this fact. The council has to do an unbiased study of the
impact the present model is having on decision making and
service delivery. They also need to determine has it lived up
to its original promises. Then they have to pressure the
Ontario government to allow for de-amalgamation and a return to
a more rational system resembling what he had before.
There are more of these that I could add these are just a few
examples but I believe council has to be armed with some sort of
roadmap to deal with a staff that seems to have only their own
interest at heart - keep enough on the go to keep us busy and
thus safe from layoffs. Also,
they help keep council in touch with the reality of Greater
Sudbury today and guard against 'chamber of commerce idiot
boosterism'.
Related websites:
Past Opinions Videos: Opinions #1 090114 http://youtu.be/BIy4E46r2cg Guest Vally Laflamme joins host John Lindsay discussing "opinions" and the upcoming municipal election. Also downtown business closings, snow clearing, transit options and other topics .. 30 minutes Opinions #2 100214 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4We8sqW8U1Q Guest and Friendly to Seniors vice-chair Normand Gauthier joins host John Lindsay discussing outlying vs central Sudbury concerns, local politics and heath and housing issues...30 minutes Opinions #3 260314 http://youtu.be/-j-HHP8XFoA Guest Lionel Rudd joins host John Lindsay discussing hospital care and other issues. Also local govt. scene and upcoming elections etc. Opinions #4 060314 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgVjkiNzqgE Guest Dr. Peter Zalan joins host John Lindsay to discuss end of life issues - Below are links to some of the subjects discussed in the video. Opinions #5 050215 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS0DZcJuOJs Guest Thomas Price joins host John Lindsay to discuss Maley Drive Extension project and presents his concerns in this hour long presentation. Opinions #6 160315 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-CgFGToRZU&authuser=0 Guest Dr. David Robinson, Economics professor at Laurentian University joins host John Lindsay to discuss Maley Drive Extension project and other concerns such as railway relocation and other municipal concerns. Opinions #7 230916 John Lindsay interviewed by Lionel Rudd on CKLU Radio Sept 2016 click here Opinions #8 240617 John Lindsay speaks on Council Expenditures - Bold or Cautious
Please access a very informative website on hospice care:http://www.virtualhospice.ca/
The presentations from the Sudbury End of Life forums are uploaded onto You Tube. Please see link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Dr. Donald Low’s video presentation on Dying with Dignity is also uploaded onto YouTube. Please see the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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