Council committee celebrates extraordinary seniors

Members of city council expressed their support Tuesday for a firstof-its-kind awards program that will celebrate the great things being done by Calgarians over the age of 70.

Jim Gray, a longtime oilman and philanthropist, spoke to members of the priorities and finance committee about the recently launched awards program he founded called the Top 7 Over 70 Awards.

“Seniors now, as we all know, are living longer, more active and more productive lives, and we think it’s time we celebrated our seniors,” Gray said.

Rather than celebrate earlier undertakings or lifetime achievements, the awards will recognize accomplishments older adults have achieved past the age of 70. Anyone living in Calgary and area is eligible and nominations are open at www.Top7Over70.com.

The city manager’s office is supporting the program with a $20,000 sponsorship, and Gray was before the city committee to tell them about the new initiative and ask that council members support the awards by encouraging nominations and spreading the word.

He said the program is the first of its kind in North America and other jurisdictions are already looking at introducing similar programs.

“This has never been done before. This is a first. As a Calgarian and as a senior . . . I’m very proud we have this initiative underway,” Gray said.

Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot praised the program as a “great initiative” while Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong said he was “more than in favour of it.” Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the program is “a very nice idea.”

“As we’re looking at a society that is aging, as we’re looking at seniors today being healthier and living longer than ever before, I love the idea of inspiring seniors to continue to be involved in their community, continue to be entrepreneurial both in business and in society, through this kind of an award,” Nenshi said.