Respecting Seniors
In my work creating books of community stories in Tucson, I’ve spent a lot of time hanging around with seniors. I enjoy their company, and I enjoy their sense of perspective–something we need more of.
I’ve heard Tucson seniors talk about their worries of losing their independence if they lose their ability to drive. Within the next five years, more than one-quarter of our population will be 65 and over, and 40% of them will be disabled.
Our seniors add to the richness and wisdom of our community and they must not be ignored. We need as much wisdom as we can find these days!
As a councilmember, I will build transportation alternatives for everyone, especially seniors.
We must make our public transit system clean, safe, and efficient, so that people who cannot drive are not second-class citizens. We have to provide better VanTran service so that disabled citizens can maintained their independence.
We need to promote and support programs that connect people with their elderly neighbors to help them with their errands, yard work, and medical appointments.
We need to support programs that treat seniors as the huge assets they are, to tap their wisdom, and experience, and perspective.
I will reach out to and consult seniors regularly on City issues, and listen to their ideas on how to solve our challenges and make their lives easier. I will listen to their memories of past successes to create policy for future successes. We must all work together to create a better future–no one must be left out.
