Column: “Compassion And Continuing Effort”
[Opinion column written by Andrew Simons, the OBA candidate for C#13 by-election]
The most important thing any government can do for its senior citizens is to protect their quality of life.
What is clear from all the people I’ve spoken with in recent years — seniors and their families, medical practitioners and health officials — is that seniors need watchdogs in the ranks of government to ensure that protection.
But seniors also need champions, those who will fight to make sure their concerns are addressed with action, not just words.
Advocating for the vulnerable is the most important reason I entered public service; it is the core motivation I will bring to government, should the people of Devonshire North Central support me in the February 4 by-election.
For inspiration and strength, I hold dear the example of the late, great Louise Jackson. Mrs Jackson’s work on behalf of seniors showed what can be done by one person carrying the fight for many. I served with Mrs Jackson on the Bermuda Health Council [BHeC]; we shared a concern for seniors and the less privileged.
Mrs Jackson was the go-to person for any senior needing guidance, protection or a voice. Over the years, they went to her by the hundreds because they trusted her to voice their concerns and, when necessary, take on the powers that be. I know that she would be proud of me for my role in encouraging the BHeC to prosecute employers who do not provide health insurance for their employees as required by law. Seeing employers found guilty of not providing health insurance would have pleased her enormously.
The role that Mrs Jackson played is as necessary today as it was when she lived: keeping people on their toes and carrying the fight for those who need it most.
Making sure that fighting spirit continues is a big part of why I’m running for office. Now more than ever, when Bermuda’s economic trials are forcing us to make tough choices, we want people in government with a clear understanding of the challenges people are facing. Staying close to each and every constituent is the key. I will be available to you any time, all the time. I will listen and I will act. Much about my life has led me to this point.
My time as a member and now deputy chairman of the BHeC has given me high-level understanding of healthcare issues, as well as ideas to get the system working even better and more efficiently.
My years in the Royal Bermuda Regiment showed me the importance of co-operation and teamwork — qualities I’d like to see more of in our parliamentary system. I have also seen my troops struggle to earn enough to support family members in three generations — infants to seniors.
My school years at The Berkeley Institute and beyond instilled in me a hunger to solve problems.
But problem solving is no easy task, especially for seniors. Everywhere they look today, economic forces are working against them — in the high cost of prescription drugs, food and electricity; in pensions that are inadequate and in residential homes that need to get better.
In the face of these challenges, I am excited to show I have the ideas, skills and energy to help them.
If I am fortunate enough to earn the support of Devonshire North Central, I look forward to working with Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, Seniors and the Environment. She is a thoughtful, diligent and caring person, who, with the support of many good people, is working hard to ease the challenges facing seniors.
You can see their work in plans to make sure that rest-home staff are qualified to provide the specialised care seniors need.
You can see it in their plan to increase specialist visits for preventive care and better disease management.
And you can see it the development of personal home-care services that will allow people to remain in their homes and reduce hospital stays.
All this good work represents steps on a long road to greater security and certainty for our seniors — for the best possible quality of life. It’s a journey that will require compassion and continuing effort to ensure that every senior’s golden years are just that — golden.
That’s my goal, and the families of Devonshire North Central can count on Ms Atherden, the minister, and me to be both watchdogs and champions to make it happen.
I look forward in the weeks ahead to meeting with as many residents of Constituency 13 as possible. I’m doing my utmost to get to every door, but if you’d like to speak with me before I get to your home, call me at 294 3213.
I look forward to hearing from you and working for you.
- Andrew Simons
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I have a lot of time for Andrew. He’s a totally decent guy. He was ahead of me @ Berkeley but even then, everybody knew how smart he was and I think he’s exactly the kind of person who should be in government. We NEED him in government.
Ya, but his party’s policies will tarnish him.
Let’s start by giving them a return on their savings if they have any in our banks and pay their insurance claims. There’s a little dignity!
Although i can agree with everyone not just snrs getting a return on their savings, thats not something the govt can interven with….besides HSBC already provides snrs with no fees on savings and checking accts
Again, we can not continue to offer seniors hand outs. Let’s give them a hand up. The reverse mortgage is the only way to go. Should the public allow seniors to give away their homes FREE and CLEAR to their adult children and then be left to ask government for HELP? THAT IS WRONG!!!Additionally, those adult children staying in mama’s apartments not paying rent. Let’s help mama get her rents in. THIS IS REAL HELP. Government does not have the MONEY. People, we must get REAL.
Do you feel the same way about concessions for the businesses that are doing good?
Why do you keep spouting misinformation and hate? If we didn’t give concessions, we wouldn’t get the business. Let me dumb it down for you: I will be a hotel for $100 only if you give me $10 in tax breaks. Our choice is to accept a hotel for $90 or get NOTHING….GET IT or should I dumb it down even more for you. I think you’re actually a very smart person that is a master manipulator to suit your own agenda
Biggest troll on Bernews
you are a close second…
Same person as Firehorse i would go out on a limb to say.
But Rodney, the Finance Minister has spoken to the banks and all of them have said they are not interested in providing reverse mortgages. The Government can’t provide them. Why don’t you set up a bank, get financing and offer reverse mortgages?
HSBC offer reverse mortgages in both the U.S.A. and England. Why not Bermuda?
During the panel discussion they touched on the issue of reverse mortgages and Mr. Simons covered it. He talked about how the government has looked at it, but it is the local banks that aren’t behind it.
Why? It is a product designed just for seniors. They do it all around the world, why not Bermuda? Local banks give bridging loans to some and not others. They are known to change the rules in the middle of the game.
Rodney Smith thinks reverse mortgage is something new, or something he invented, it’s been around since 1960, I have challenged him on many occasions that if the Banks or any other financial wanted it Bermuda would have it.
Can’t force the Banks into a product they don’t want.
Nice sounding words won’t work, when you have a current horrible track record…
If, Mr. Simons win, does he plan on warming the oba bench, or taking MP.Atherden’s job.