Seniors centres’ safety questioned
Feb 4th, 2010 | By Debbie Vitez | Section: 2010 Municipal CandidatesThis ran in the Kw Record..November 2008.. your comments invited below
CAMBRIDGE
Seniors are worried about their safety at the David Durward and Allen Reuter recreation centres, Coun. Linda Whetham says.
She wants an independent safety review of the buildings in Galt and Preston, despite assurances from city staff.
“They’re very afraid,” Whetham said. “Some people have been stuck in elevators.”
Mayor Doug Craig was cool to the idea of a safety audit. He suggested a meeting between Whetham and senior staff, including Fire Chief Terry Allen.
But Whetham said she still plans to raise the issue in the 2009 budget.
There is a smell of sewer gas in the Durward Centre, she said, and seniors worry how they’ll get out if there’s a fire. There are also fears of fire in the Allan Reuter Centre in the former Preston Town hall.
Jim King, the community services commissioner, said the buildings are safe. “We meet every code, we have fire safety plans . . . we would not be operating if they did not meet provincial standards.”
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Isn’t it amazing how everyone is talking seniors issues these days. Could it be that they are simply trying to con the elderly into voting for them? Or could it be that it is because I have been exposing the elder abuse issues in Cambridge for the past year? Hell…. elect me as mayor. I will give all home owners the right to control how they live within the confines of their own homes. I will allow all home owners to create granny suites for the elderly, and basement apartments for any family member, regardless of their age. Hell … I’ll even wipe out the $4,000 extortion fees.
All kidding aside… I’d just like to say that the residents here in Cambridge must make serious efforts to eliminate the municipal corruption that exits here. We must take back control of our homes, and not make extortion payments for the right to provide independent accommodation for other family members. If mayor Craig says “send me $4,000 for permission to have your aging mother live in your home, in something as simple as a basement apartment”, tell him to go to hell, it’s your home. You make the mortgage payments, you pay the ridiculously high taxes, so why should the mayor and his councilors dictate how your family live inside your home? My last word: Please get out on election day, and help us to improve conditions in Cambridge.