MAD HATTER

 

 

 

ingenuity they demonstrate in their
Canadian home communities. The
benefits of the International Bureau's
activities flow both ways: Canadians
invariably return from their overseas
postings with their lives enriched, their
perspectives enlarged -- effects they
pass on to their fellow citizens.

The ACCC recognizess that its man-
date of promoting the total develop-
ment of the individual, and thereby of
society as a whole, in fact transcends
national boundaries. Douglas College
is proud to play a major role in this na-
tional and international association.
Canada's colleges do indeed touch
lives ... ultimately right around the
world.

SENIOR’S HOUSING

Older people deserve better opportu-
nities to take part in decisions that
affect their lives, says Cheryl Kathler, a
coordinator with Better Housing for
Older People, a one-day symposium
being offered at Douglas College, on
Wednesday, November 26.

Kathler, a masters student in the UBC
School of Community and Regional
Planning, says helping seniors take
part in decision-making processes
will be a major focus of the symposium.

The forum, co-sponsored by the
Seniors’ Bureau and Douglas College,
will be a practical planning exercise to
find out what seniors see as their
needs.

The day will begin with a look at the
current situation for seniors’ housing
in New Westminster, and show some
alternative housing options.

Key participants in the symposium in-
clude Ken Cameron, City Planner for
New Westminster, Reverend John
Davis of Affordable Housing, Anita
Hagen, the retiring director of the
Seniors’ Bureau and the new MLA for
New Westminster, and Jim Wilson of
the SFU department of geography.

 

“There are all kinds of options avail-
able to older people,” says Kathler.
“These can include living in your own
home, home sharing or becoming a
part of a cooperative.”

Each of these examples will be
presented during the symposium, with
the practical considerations ex-
plained, she said.

“One topic will be the financial
changes an older person may need to
take to stay in their own home, or to
find a new one,” Kathler said.

“A lot of people are unaware that
municipalities allow seniors a tax
deferral program to postpone payment
of municipal taxes until a person sells
their home,” she said.

Other financial breaks include the fed-
eral Home Owners Grant and a new
Home Equity Program beginning in
Vancouver.

And the registration fee is being kept
intentionally low to allow as much
senior participation as possible.

The cost of this six and a half hour
program is $5 for seniors or people on
limited incomes, $10 for students, and
$30 for the general public. The fees in-
clude the cost of lunch and refresh-
ments.

The conference will be of interest to
seniors and older people, housing
developers and consultants, commu-
nity groups and societies, policy
makers, service providers or anyone
interested in seniors issues.

The result should begin the process of
allowing senior citizens more input
into decisions that affect their lives,
said Kathler.

Space in the symposium is limited, so
interested people are urged to register
early.

To register, call Community Programs
and Services at 520-5472.

 

EMERTON CHAIRS

Bill Emerton of Port Moody has been
named the new chairman of the
Douglas College Foundation, a
fundraising group for college and
community efforts in the fine arts,
athletics, student scholarships and
other educational pursuits.

Emerton, a partner at Touche Ross,
has been a member of the Foundation
Board since its inception last
February. He is also a member of the
Douglas College Board.

He recently announced a financial aid
endowment of $310,000 in the Found-
ation and expressed a commitment
from Foundation Directors to continue
raising funds for other worthwhile
community and college projects.

The Foundation is made up of
representatives from local business,
community groups, Douglas College
faculty, staff, administration and
students.

Emerton replaces College President
William Day as chairman. A newly
named vice-chairman is Peter W.
Webster, President of Petwyn Invest-
ments Ltd. and a longtime fundraiser
for local groups.

Webster was the first full-time mana-
ger of the Canadian National Ski
Team, a founder of the Education in
Competition program, current
president of the Boys and Girls Clubs
of Greater Vancouver, and a former
executive director of the B.C. Sports
Hall of Fame.

The Douglas College Foundation has
also named Muni Evers, long-time
former Mayor of New Westminster, as
a member-at-large on its Executive
Committee. Evers was honoured with
the Order of Canada in 1984, New
Westminster's Citizen of the year in
1982, and the Queen’s Medal each
year from 1952 ~— to 1977.

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