I was one of the few who attended the meeting with the head honchos from Retirement Concepts last week.
The RC spokesmen were up front about why they want the rezoning. It just isn’t economically viable to have empty units, and the assisted living customers they expected didn’t show up.
While the recession may have put a dent in the high-end market, pensioners on fixed incomes who couldn’t afford the RC units in the first place are now being whacked by the increasing costs of everything from gasoline to food. The need for affordable housing for seniors hasn’t gone away and isn’t likely to in the near future.
So whatever the City decides on the rezoning, it won’t make a whit of difference to those of us older persons who need, or who are on the brink of needing, assisted or supportive housing at a price we can pay.
If the private sector can’t do it, the senior governments better get busy helping the non-profit groups that can, or provide more home help.
***
Dandelions are flourishing this spring.
I tried to get GD#6 and GD#7 to pick the ones in my front lawn, and they got some, but they prefer mixed bouquets and picked the tulips, too. I don’t like to use herbicides, and dandelions defy mowers, so I’ve decided to consider them one of nature’s gifts.
Dandelions actually have lots of uses. Maybe some enterprising entrepreneur will find ways to market them.
***
Like many British Columbians, I’m watching the hockey playoffs.
The seventh Boston-Tampa Bay game was the first NHL game without a penalty in the last 20 years.
I hope it started a trend.
I have a soft spot for goalies, so Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo is my favourite, but how can anyone say anything negative about the Sedins?
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.