A STRONGER VOICE & MORE VALUE FOR BRADFORD’S SENIORS' + ACTIVE SENIORS'
Updated: Oct 13
Our seniors helped build Bradford, or they chose Bradford as the community where they want to enjoy their retirement years.
They have paid their dues. They have worked, raised families, volunteered, supported local organizations, paid taxes and contributed to our country, our province and our Town.
I believe they deserve more value, stronger community connections and a meaningful voice in helping shape Bradford’s future.
That is why I am proposing the creation of a Seniors’ Advisory Committee for Bradford West Gwillimbury.
This would bring seniors, caregivers, community organizations and other local voices together to provide practical advice and recommendations directly to Council.
But creating another committee is not the goal.
Getting better results for seniors is
More Than a Seat at the Table
As Bradford grows, we need to look at our community through the eyes of people at every stage of life.
Can seniors get around town easily?
Are our parks, trails and public facilities designed with seniors in mind?
Do we have enough recreation, social and wellness opportunities for active seniors?
Are seniors receiving information from the Town in ways that actually reach them?
Can people remain connected to their community as they age?
And are we doing enough to help seniors who want to continue volunteering, mentoring and contributing their experience to Bradford?
These are exactly the kinds of questions I want seniors themselves helping Council answer.
Council shouldn’t decide what seniors need without seniors sitting at the table.
Active, Connected and Engaged
When we talk about seniors, we also shouldn’t assume everyone has the same needs.
Many of Bradford’s seniors are active, working, travelling, volunteering, playing sports, participating in recreation and helping their families. Others may be facing mobility, accessibility, transportation or social-isolation challenges.
Our approach needs to recognize that range.
I want to explore ways of providing more value and more opportunities for seniors to stay active, connected and involved in Bradford.
A Seniors’ Advisory Committee could provide recommendations on:
accessibility, mobility and transportation; recreation, programming and social opportunities; community safety; housing and aging in place; communication and access to Town services; parks, trails and senior-friendly public spaces; volunteer and mentorship opportunities; and stronger connections between seniors, community organizations and local services.
A Committee With a Purpose
I don’t want to create a committee simply so we can say we have one.
It should have a clear mandate, measurable objectives and a direct connection to Council.
Give the committee real issues to examine. Ask for practical recommendations. Determine what can realistically be implemented. Report back on progress.
Some recommendations may be simple and inexpensive. Others may require partnerships with community organizations, other levels of government or the private sector.
The important thing is to create a structured way for seniors’ experiences and ideas to reach the Council table and translate into action.
Experience Is an Asset
There is another side to this that I think we sometimes overlook.
Our senior population represents an enormous amount of experience, knowledge and community history.
These are former business owners, tradespeople, professionals, educators, public servants, volunteers, parents and community builders.
We shouldn’t just ask, “What can Bradford do for seniors?”
We should also ask, “How can we make it easier for seniors who want to remain involved to share their knowledge and continue contributing to Bradford?”
That could mean mentorship, volunteering, community initiatives, recreation, advisory roles or simply creating better opportunities for people to connect.
More Value for the People Who Helped Build Our Community
As a property taxpayer myself, I believe every resident should be asking whether they are receiving good value from their municipality.
For seniors, particularly those living on fixed incomes, that question becomes even more important.
More value doesn’t necessarily mean more spending.
Sometimes it means better coordination, better communication, smarter programming, stronger partnerships and making better use of the facilities and resources we already have.
Before spending more taxpayer dollars, we should understand what seniors actually want and where the biggest gaps exist.
That’s another reason their direct input matters.
Building Bradford for Every Generation
Bradford is changing, and growth is going to continue bringing new people, new investment and new opportunities to our community.
But good growth isn’t just about how many homes or businesses we build.
It’s about whether Bradford continues to be a community where people can raise a family, build a career, retire, stay active and continue to feel connected as they age.
Our seniors have helped build this community. Others have chosen Bradford as the place they want to spend the next chapter of their lives.
Both deserve to be heard.
They’ve paid their dues. They deserve more value. They deserve stronger connections. And they deserve a meaningful seat at the table as we build what comes next.
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE.
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