Seniors have fallen through the cracks

March 27, 2015 · 0 Comments

I would like to alert the Regional councillors and anyone else who could possibly amend the proposed flawed cart (garbage collection) program that is being forced through.
While the Provincial government has programs designed to make homes more friendly to the aged, that extend their time when they can remain self sufficient, we have the Region ramming through a heavy cart program which will make it impossible for such people to use.
The article in the March 19 edition of the Citizen listed among the highlighted concerns “the ability of seniors to maneuver their carts, dealing with long driveways in rural areas.”
Peel’s Director of Waste Management Norman Lee said “none of these were found to be major issues”
What is wrong with this picture?
Do you suppose there is no problem because Lee says there isn’t?
Under the new regime, the drivers will not pick up the small garbage bag or the recycling in a blue box that the little old lady or gentleman has managed to get to the curb. It will have to be in carts.
She/he will not be allowed to leave the carts at the road, but will be required to wheel them to and from the house each pick-up day. She/he will have to move heavy and awkward carts to place the materials inside so that a driver can operate the lifting mechanism to empty the cart and she/he will have to get the cart back to the house!
What stupidity!
Do you realize how many long driveways there are in Peel which are only navigable by motor vehicle throughout most of the winter?
At present, to get the garbage and recycling to the curb it is loaded into the vehicle and driven to the roadside.
Most private cars cannot carry these big new carts and even if they could, the little old lady/gentleman is certainly not capable of lifting them on and off, twice each collection day
I am surprised that nobody has put a stop to this part of the program until a better solution is found.
Lee and all of the Regional councillors have ignored the real concerns of our seniors living in rural areas.
Lee notes that there will be fewer injuries — to the drivers, I assume.
What about increased injuries to seniors?
Something has fallen between the bureaucratic cracks, again.
Seniors are remarkably conscientious voters too.
Colin Lewis,
Caledon