A group of residents from Extendicare Port Hope took their protest to the street – literally on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
The group of seniors were protesting there was no sidewalk where they are situated on Rose Glen Road.
The group left Extendicare and were escorted on the road by members of the Port Hope Police.
Extendicare’s spiritual care provider Celia McBride said 128 residents cannot go for walks and can’t because there is no sidewalk.
“They can’t go out of the parking lot to get to McDonald’s or any of the shops on Wellington Street. So they are protesting for the town to listen to them and building a sidewalk.
The group went 500 metres to McDonald’s and back to protest.
The town has told the group they are not against it, they just can’t afford the price tag of $2 million.
“They just built a splash pad across from the residence and we’re just wondering why a sidewalk isn’t more of a priority?”
“I hope the town will say, “this is important.”
“Not just for the residence of the home, but for the students, the residents of the subdivision. This is a major thoroughfare with a lot of people who live nearby. It needs a sidewalk. It’s a no-brainer.”
More than 600 local residents have signed a petition to get a sidewalk built.
President of the Resident’s Council at Extendicare, Krystal Chalmer said the facility is beautiful, but they are almost “prisoners” because they can’t go anywhere.
“We’d like to escape once in awhile. The only place we can go now is around the parking lot.”
“We’ve got no where to go and there are no sidewalks.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
