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The local chapter of CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) was disturbed to learn that Greater Sudbury city council, with the exception of a few council members, decided there was no need for a sidewalk for a new older adults building being constructed on Sparks Street in New Sudbury.
This, at about the same time sidewalks are being considered for David Street near Bell Park. City staff recommended no sidewalk on Sparks Street citing costs which would involve covering over a drainage ditch. It should be noted that there are no drainage ditches on David Street, and in fact, most residents feel after many decades of not having sidewalks on their street there is no pressing need at this time, especially when there is a real need on Sparks Street.
It is a matter of priority.
Let us hope that council will reconsider the Sparks Street decision to deny the seniors who will occupy this new facility the safety of a sidewalk outside of their residence, and by doing so remove the drainage ditch, a potential hazard.
Sudbury CARP is an advocacy group representing the significant number of older adults in our city, providing them a voice when others seem to ignore as in this case. Sudbury has more of this demographic percentage-wise than any other city in Ontario.
For more information on our organization, those of any age are invited to attend the next CARP Sudbury meeting to be held at the Northbury Hotel on Thursday, June 8 with Mayor Paul Lefebvre as guest speaker. Tickets can be purchased from any CARP Sudbury board member, whose phone numbers are at CARPsudbury.ca.
John Lindsay
President CARP Sudbury