By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2023
The City of Mount Pearl will continue to help fund a very active community group into the near future.
During last week’s meeting, councillor Chelsea Lane brought forward a motion to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and the Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group for the period January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2025. The MOU includes the provision of an annual operating subsidy in the amount of $50,000.
“We’re very proud of our Senior Independence Group here in Mount Pearl and we’re happy to continue to support them any way we can,” said Lane.
Council also approved a round of milestone event funding as the group celebrates 25 years of incorporation.
That funding, $10,000 in total, will be awarded to the group in two instalments of $5,000.
“This is something we do for most of the groups in our City when they celebrate 25 years,” explained councillor Bill Antle. “I think there are over 500 people involved in that group, and they’re quite active here in the City of Mount Pearl, and so I’m certainly proud to recommend this.”
Councillor Jim Locke said it’s hard to believe it’s already been 25 years since the group was formed and spoke to the value of the group to the city.
“We have upwards of 500 members, and I’ve been doing some reading recently on seniors and loneliness and social isolation,” said Locke. “Loneliness and social isolation have significant health impacts. I was reading in the UK that it’s the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It impacts your heart, it impacts your mind, in terms of dementia, it impacts heart attacks, strokes. It’s an issue that I think we need to turn more attention to.”
He noted, not for the first time in council chambers, that the UK back in 2017 instituted a Minster of Loneliness. He said Japan has done similarly.
Locke said what many seniors missed most during the lockdown was social connection afforded by group activities – such as bingo.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Locke. “The annual operating subsidy of $50,000 is good money spent on seniors who have built this city for us.”
Councillor Mark Rice echoed those sentiments, and Mayor Dave Aker added the group is involved in many Frosty Festival activities and its members are collecting donations for the food bank throughout the winter months.
“So, this is the least we can do to help a legacy group in the City of Mount Pearl who continue to give back to the community,” said Aker.
Both motions passed unanimously.
