Seniors issues focus of debate in Fort Erie

A group of Fort Erie seniors wants to hear where political candidates stand on issues affecting them in an all-candidates meeting on Sept. 29.

Beachcombers Seniors Club is hosting the event to discuss affordable housing, long-term care, ambulance service and regional outreach programs offered by the Region and want them addressed during the municipal election.

Board chairman and moderator, Richard Paterak said with the municipal election coming up, this will be a specific debate and questions will be restricted to policies and programs for seniors.

“We want to start the conversation and see where the candidates are and make people aware. People on council are aware as there is a task force on affordable housing in Fort Erie. We also want the Region to be aware that Fort Erie makes seniors’ issues a talking point not just in an election, but always,” he said.

Paterak said housing has become an issue for seniors especially with all the new development in town. He said it is being built to a luxury standard which most seniors cannot maintain, nor do they need.

Access to other services and the presence of services is also a growing concern for seniors.

“There is a need for adult day care and respite for spouses. The caregiver also needs to be healthy. We need a community hub in west Fort Erie with more full- or part-time outreach programs,” Paterak explains.

Twenty-four per cent of people in Fort Erie are seniors making them, as the Beachcombers say, Fort Erie’s biggest industry.

“Seniors are Fort Erie’s biggest industry and it is time that the town and Region start planning for this growing reality,” said

Don West, a Crystal Beach resident and Beachcombers board member. “This all-candidates meeting will be an opportunity for Fort Erie seniors to get some answers to important questions.”

Candidates for mayor, regional councillor and town council for wards 4, 5, and 6 have agreed to attend.

“If government sees the need to take care of these things, it can keep people healthy longer,” says Paterak. “We want to get people to speak on record and remind the winning candidate what they said later on.”

Tickets are available for $5 which includes a lunch. They can be purchased at Beachcombers, 237 Ridge Rd. N., or at Lakeside Books and Art, 341 Ridge Rd N., in Ridgeway. Tickets are also available in Crystal Beach, by calling 289-402-5181 or in Stevensville by calling 905-382-6112. Ticket sales are restricted to 100 due to space limitations.