Two all-candidates meetings specific to seniors’ issues have been set for Monday and Wednesday. Both Langley City and Township of Langley candidates will share their views with local seniors while fielding questions prepared by organizers and the audience.
Organized by Triple A Senior Housing and co-sponsored by a number of other senior-serving organizations, the sessions will be a slightly different format than the standard all-candidates meetings.
Marilyn Fischer of Triple A noted candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves as well as their campaign platform, but will then walk through the room talking on a more intimate level with each table full of seniors.
“We definitely have [had a good response from candidates to attending the meetings],†Fischer said. “All the candidates from the Township have accepted our invitation and all but one candidate from the City have accepted our invitation.â€
Township of Langley meeting:
Monday, Nov. 3
1-3 p.m.
Langley City meeting:
Wednesday, Nov. 5
1-3 p.m.
Pre-set questions will be established by the organizers, including on issues such as housing and transportation. Attendees can also bring their own questions and write them down at the start of the meeting for inclusion in the question periods.
“There’s lots of seniors that vote and we want to give them an opportunity to meet the candidates,†Fischer noted.
Candidates have also been invited to supply a short write-up detailing two or three specific items they consider as high priorities in the community and how they would address them. The items are to be selected from the World Health Organization checklist of the eight essential features of Age-Friendly Cities.
These write-ups will be assembled as a handout for seniors at the event.
“It’s a good undertaking for us to put on an all-candidates meeting,†Fischer said. “Seniors need to be informed and exercise their vote.â€
Both meetings will be held at the Langley Seniors Resource Centre at 20605 51B Ave. Attendees are asked to carpool as parking is limited.