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LI Senior citizens housing in short supply Chronicle "of! writer Waterloo alderman Char- lie Voelker first proposed a plan to convert empty classrooms in the Region into senior citizens apart- ments over a year ago. And even though the scheme re- ceived Council's backing in October, 1978, it seems to have lost all momentum, But Voelker refuses to let his idea die. “It kind of died on the vine for a while simply because the talk about empty classrooms died down." Voelker said recently. He says the time has me to brush off the cotr 5 and make a sales pitch the Waterloo county board of education 125th Year No. 50 walker plans to approach . ml board administrators during the week m an effort to get the scheme rolling agam By Stewart Suthodand Voelker, a former chair man of the old Waterloo public school board. and presently an architect m Waterloo. says his scheme may be Just what IS needed as declining enrolment he. comes more evident. espe» cially In schools In the city's core Voelker says that With Waterloo"; apartment rate at mm, It could provide sen Comment.........................., Enurtainment.......................1 Community Calender. Business... . . . . . . .A, No order is too small for Beam Mattress, says owner Ralph Beam. re's carrying on a' amily tradition that has been handed down through so- veral generations. Beam Mattress is featured this week. Waterloo lu'onide lnsid iors with much-needed hour ing. And it would allow the board to still make use of schools that are hit with a drop in enmiment. The school board is pre- sently studying several tmu- bled Waterloo schools. Voelker says his plan would allow the board to col- lect a "healthy monthly in- come which would ultimate- 1y save the taxpayers some money." "And I really don't know of any classrooms in the re- gion which can't be convert- ed." he said, Voelker apparently has the backing of Bruce Lums- den, president of the Down- town Residents Association in Waterloo, who says he's for anything that will permit the board to keep schools open in the City-centre He also has agreed that there is a need for more housmg tor seniors and said Voelker's scheme might provide an al- ternative to "a IO-storey building ._ Lumsden hasn't seen the plans yet but says the Idea IS "definitely worth explor- lng pr He expects to meet With Voelker later this week Voelker says he has been In touch tmth several trur tees and some have ex- pressed In Interest In the scheme. but he declined to name those interested par- ttes for the lame being Voelker has put his ideas on paper m the form of blue- prints that show possible layouts for the proposed apartments He said that since most classrooms are about the same, the drawing could apply to most schools His proposal has a third “hidden benefit“ Those who occupy the apartments could serve as ‘llve-m" guards which could help rev dure the mcreasmg rate of vandalism In Waterloo: schools, according lo Voelkcr .........14-23 Wednesday, December 12, 1979 Council considers economic development committee plan Chroniclo “all writov Waterloo Council unveiled a major economic develop- ment scheme for the city at Its regular Monday night meeting The scheme. two years in the making, was put to- gether try City politicians and staff and members of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce The proposed program would permit the City to meet Increased competition with local industry and bu- smess Paul Gerster. Vice president of the Chamber This young shopper stopped and chatted with Santa Claus on Saturday at Waterloo Square. There was a steady parade of children and their parents waiting to place orders with the man in red before he heads north to make his final Christmas preparations. - made a formal presentation of the proposal to Council It is essentially an updat- ed inventory of local bu- siness and industry and pro- vides the basis for a master plan to enhance existing bu- siness in the city and attract new ones “In the past. Waterloo has always had a rather low pro- file approach to economic development It's waiting for individuals to come to the city and inqmre and ob tain the information." Ger» ster said At present there as no or ganization to deal with new or existing businesses in this area "What we're proposing is that a formal organization be set up that can respond positively with a lot of infor- mation that can be used rea- dily by business and in- dustry when they want to make a decision ahnut our mtvf' he said A proposed economic do "mm" velopment committee would The proposal received ap- consist of members of the proval In principle from Waterloo Chamber of Com, council but the final decision merce politicians and City will be made at budget time staff They would meet re- next spring Wéterloo, Ontario gularly to deal with issues as they arise - The proposal would cost the City an estimated $49,000 to set up and run dur- ing its first year of opera- tion Alderman Mary wjane Mewhinney called the pro- posed program "timely in the light of present econo- mic rnndmnns In the country qq 15 Cents