Public Safety Children's Safety Snow Safety

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #203, 8912-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

January XXVIIth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

I as you know have taken a very strong interest in education. Last night I drove a senior citizen with a cane to the open session meeting of the Public School Board. We were both absolutely incensed upon arriving at the Centre for Education at Kingsway.

Safety should not just be at schools. It should start first & foremost with the Public Administration Building for Educators/Trustees./ My friend is an 84 year old gentleman who uses a cane. So we parked in the handicapped stall with his car that has a valid handicapped pass. He then said he would like to walk up the wheelchair ramp as it has a railing he can use to guide him.

David, it was absolutely atrocious, the ramp had snow, loose ice & black ice on it. He almost fell three times and was very upset. We then sat in the main lobby for 15 minutes so he could rest & then got into the meeting late. I of course asked a question during the public comments/questions section & was referred to the Board Secretary, who of course stalled me out & told me to contact Alberta Education.

There was no shovel or anything available in the front lobby. If there had been, I would have shovelled the path David for free. i would have also put Ice Melt on the path to make it safe for seniors and other disabled persons to walk upm without being in fear for their well being, their very life in fact. As we left the building, I manouvered my friend's car to right in front of the main stairs & then acted as a stabilizer with my shoulder & arm so he would not fall. Luckily the ice had been cleared on the steps down. But he never should have had to face the situation of walking on black ice in the first place. This kind of situation is intolerable David, Alberta Education has maintenance crews, lets them do their jobs! Without seniors & other disabled adults taking such an active interest in education, there are less persons who can help today's children & the children of the future make the right academic choices for themselves in order to become productive members of society.

Ice-Pick Shovels Are Only What $11.99 At Canadian Tire David,

Rory

Source: Canadian Tire.