Politics & Government

Councilor Elder Seeks Input on Senior Center in Ward Park

City Councilor Matt Elder is exploring where his constituents stand on a senior center in Ward Park.

Editor's Note: The following information was submitted by City Councilor Matt Elder.

Starting today, Ward 3 City Councilor Matt Elder is canvassing his entire Ward and setting up a neighborhood meeting at the over 55 residential community in his ward to reach his constituents to see where they stand on the Senior Center being built on Ward Park.

This is the second attempt Elder has put forth to get input from his constituents. A few weeks ago, Elder canvassed over half his ward to solicit his constituents’ thoughts on the  project.

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“A few weeks ago I dropped off some neighborhood letters to various parts of the Ward, and I also asked for where they stood on the senior center being built on Ward Park, and the back side of the letter was a map of the proposed project,” Elder said.

Elder said that he didn’t receive much feedback on the issue, and not one person said they were against the proposal. He said he put letters in residents’ doors and on their mailboxes, and it’s hard to get to every house on every street, but he left around 600 letters.

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“Sometimes the wind takes the letters, or people get them and don’t tell the other people in their house, and I can’t reach everyone this way,” Elder said. “However, this week I’m trying to hit everyone I can. I have 1000 letters that should be distributed in a few days.”

Despite not receiving any opposition to the project, Elder said he understands there are some concerns about the project and there are people who oppose it.

“We’ve obviously received people who say they are opposed to it. I know we have direct abutters who oppose this," said Elder. "But I need to know how my entire ward feels about the project.”

Elder said he needs to listen to everyone’s concerns and input on the project.

“I not only represent the direct abutters, but also people that live miles away, including a very active retirement housing development with over a hundred houses," he said. "If the project does go forward, I plan on working with abutters to make sure their concerns are addressed.”

Councilor Elder and President Trish Pope will be hosting a forum at the over 55 community next month to address questions and concerns.


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