Dear Editor:
Re: Mayor Mike’s Chamber Chat Falls Short on Solutions, April 5 Mailbox.
It would appear that I too am part of the “toxic mix of an aging demographic of residents in combination with rising property values” so “eloquently” referred to in a recent letter to your Mailbox.
I don’t know about others in the so-called “Silver Tsunami,” “baby boomers” or whatever label is wished upon us, but I for one am getting incensed by being labelled as part of the problem in progress moving forward today by various levels of government, amongst others.
Since when has “respect for your elders” been cast aside? Face it – most humans are one day going to become seniors. This does not mean that we should be so disrespectfully denigrated for our very being. Many of us are your parents or grandparents.
Many of us have survived a world war and its aftermath of struggles. Many of us immigrated with a government restricted amount of currency in our pockets. We endeavoured to integrate and, minding our dignity and abilities, took whatever work we could find. We eventually saved and borrowed to buy homes, raised families and generally did our best to contribute to society.
Today, as now seniors, we still have the same work ethics but in volunteering, belonging to various (non-profit) organizations, minding grandchildren and making donations to various charities.
We still contribute in as many ways as we can. Imagine what society would be like without our volunteering contributions? But, it appears that we are resented for living in valuable homes and being a burden and not moving on. To where – the grave?!
Interestingly and sadly, it was reported in the Vancouver Sun recently, that half of B.C.’s seniors are living on only $25,000 a year or less. Not all seniors are a homogenous group of well-off retirees. (I quote in part.)
Buying a property 50 or 60 years ago was as much of a daunting hardship to us then as it is to others today. Except today, when I watch young people on television looking at properties to buy, there are constant complaints of, “It’s not big enough, there are no stainless steel appliances, the kitchen is too small, the bathroom is too small, it won’t fit a king-sized bed” and so on. We seniors were only too pleased to get into a home no matter what.
Seniors pay their share of taxes to all levels of government, paying the very wages to some of those who choose to complain about them. Seniors no longer require schools for themselves. Seniors cause little need for police intervention or incarceration. Seniors get out and vote and yes, many are interested in what is going on around them. Seniors drive less. Seniors are loyal to their service providers and shop as locally as possible. Seniors pay their bills. And, yes, seniors keep medical professionals employed.
Seniors have paid their dues to society. Seniors are as much a part of a contributing society as are all other age groups. Treat them with respect and stop denigrating them for who they are or what they have, for you too with luck, will be a senior one day.
Christine Ballantine
West Vancouver
