John Steinke
Dear editor:
This is an open letter to the mayor and councillors, as well as staff and various appropriate committees of the Town of Fort Frances.
This letter is written on behalf of the handicapped and disabled citizens and taxpayers. We hope that the two-fold message is considered in your deliberation of both past and future capital projects.
Please note that amongst the population of Ontario and us taxpayers of Fort Frances, 17 percent of people between the ages of 40 and 65, and 40 percent of those between the ages of 65 and 75, have at least one disability.
The rate goes up to 53 percent for those over the age of 75.
Most of these are taxpayers, and we wish to thank the town for the considerations you have give us, such as changes to the corner ramps at the curbs of the streets and ramps to get into some of the buildings in town.
Parking spaces in the middle of blocks, and spots we have to use at banks, etc., are very helpful. The municipal office even has an elevator for those of us that can’t climb stairs.
However, now is the time for you to consider improving the status. Don’t forget that you soon will be entering the ages of incidence where you may be joining us handicapped.
Hopefully you will consider that most of the disabled are passengers in the vehicles that use the wheelchair-marked parking spots.
In order to dismount from an automobile or van, and transfer to a wheelchair or walker, they must swivel in the seat and stand on a flat, unobstructed surface about the same level as the street. In other words, a curb presents an obstacle and makes the footing hazardous.
Back and extremity handicaps are the obvious problems.
And if they were able to negotiate the curb obstacle, another problem of an unkept boulevard with soft turf can be a disaster!
Case in point are two of these wheelchair parking stalls on Victoria Avenue in front of St. Mary’s Church. Only the “walking wounded” can use them—and it has been so for the last few years.
May we suggest that when the snowbanks and fence are removed, that the curb also be removed. And when the new sidewalks are installed (the sidewalks were removed last spring and we surmise they will be replaced) that there be installed an alcove for wheelchairs and walkers, complete with mini ramps to gain the sidewalk height, and a ramp in the sidewalk height and a ramp to the entrance height, as well.
None of this request involves any extra cost other than some diligent application of labour we taxpayers are already paying for.
Hopefully, this request and thought process will be considered by the people who draw a paycheque from the town tax coffers.
Respectfully submitted by a taxpaying citizen and handicapped care-giver.
(Signed),
John Steinke
Fort Frances, Ont.
