What’s on your Mind – August 2011
I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having. We have had s fairly busy month packing and moving into our new location at Bonavista Village, Bay 7, 1215 Lake Sylvan Drive SE. It will take a few weeks to get settled but we look forward to you dropping in for a visit. Many of you realize we had to move because of the renovations at Deer Valley Shopping Centre and it was not easy saying goodbye to the other tenants. After all the years of being there you become friends.
Health still remains your #1 priority followed by no clear second as you were calling or emailing about several things that you needed help and guidance on. Your inquires on health care repeat what we have heard over the last several months. Difficulty in finding a family doctor (see July issue as I did post two new family doctors that are accepting new patients.) The long waits you are still facing to get into a specialist and just navigating the system can be frustrating.
We still get calls from families who are trying to access care for their elderly parents who need to move from an independent living situation to either receiving home care, or moving to assisted living or long term care. While the government continues to tell Albertans that home care or continuing care is there when you need it, it certainly isn’t what I’m hearing.
We had several things pop up over the month that you felt you needed to express your opinion on. The horrific death of the 14 month old child and the government’s response accepting the recommendations from the external panel tugged at your hearts and angered and sadden you. There is also great concern regarding the government’s plan to move brain injured clients from URSA to other facilities. Parents of these patients are keeping me posted as they continue to meet with Alberta Health Services.
Other issues pertained to WCB which interesting enough seems to be picking up again; transportation with the traffic on Deerfoot and general education questions as we get closer to school starting.
As the leadership to pick a new Premier continues I must remind you that I’m not in a position to express my opinion one way or the other.
On another note, please remember living around or close to Fish Creek Park, coyotes are part of the landscape. I recently had an encounter with a coyote while walking my dog Gizmo on the street. While many find them cute, they are cunning and dangerous. They like to let your dog think they are another dog and give the “come play with me” and will lure them away for the attack where their partners in crime will be waiting. Fortunately for Gizmo he was on his leash as the coyote was very close and very brazen. It is important to keep your dogs on leashes.
Once again thanks for calling, emailing and dropping in. I appreciate you expressing what’s on your mind.