Safety talk, cookout a hit at West Shore Terrace

By Matt Bower
Posted 7/26/16

Mayor Scott Avedisian and members of the city’s police and fire departments, along with Ward 7 City Council candidate Charles “C.J.” Donovan, Sen. William Walaska, and Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, …

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Safety talk, cookout a hit at West Shore Terrace

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Mayor Scott Avedisian and members of the city’s police and fire departments, along with Ward 7 City Council candidate Charles “C.J.” Donovan, Sen. William Walaska, and Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, stopped by West Shore Terrace last Thursday as part of a free cookout and informational safety talk for residents.

The event was put on by the Warwick Housing Authority (WHA). Everett O’Donnell, director of maintenance for WHA, said the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs mandates that safety meetings are held each year.

“We started doing the meetings 15 years ago, but we weren’t getting a good turnout. We found that people started showing up when we did a free cookout,” O’Donnell said. “The mayor gives an update on the city, and Sen. Walaska and Rep. Shekarchi were here, which gives the residents an opportunity to talk to them if they have any state issues that need to be looked into.”

O’Donnell said there’s always plenty of food, and usually leftovers, which allows residents to take some home.

Shekarchi, who donated pastries for the cookout, said he always enjoys stopping by and visiting with the residents.

“I love these people,” he said. “I told them I’m their state official and left my number and some brochures if they need to contact me.”

Shekarchi said people contact him all the time about various matters – anything from car registration problems to issues with health care and Medicare, such as prescription medications.

“I get questions about the airport and requests for help and inquiries about what’s going on,” he said.

When asked if he gets more calls after visiting with residents, Shekarchi said the opposite is true.

“There have been less calls over the years,” he said. “The people seem happier. Things are well run over there [West Shore Terrace].”

Shekarchi said it’s important to listen to what police and fire personnel have to say and to thank them for the job they do.

“I also thanked the maintenance staff,” he said. “Warwick Housing Authority has top notch properties.”

Walaska said he enjoys coming to West Shore Terrace and usually learns something new at each safety meeting.

“I come here often and every time you learn a bit more,” he said. “This is enlightening and educational for seniors. You don’t realize there are things you can do in your home that can be hazardous, like burning a candle.”

Walaska said the Warwick Housing Authority does a good job with events like this.

“We all have needs and questions, and sometimes seniors forget they can call their representative,” he said. “This is good for them; we should have more.”

Donovan said the event is a great opportunity to open the lines of communication with seniors regarding issues that are near and dear to their heart.

“This is an opportunity for seniors to express their opinions to city officials,” Donovan said, adding that he enjoys breaking bread with the residents and visiting with them.

In the past, Donovan said events like this one helped lead to residents getting things for the complex such as a Bingo board and cable TV.

Geraldine Davis, an 11-year resident of West Shore Terrace who was having lunch with her friend Ursula Vincent, said she wished the event lasted longer.

“This is fabulous,” she said. “The talks were great and the food was just as good. Getting to see neighbors you haven’t seen in a while is nice, too.”

Davis said the talks were informative.

“Especially from the fire and police departments, because they go over things we tend to forget, so it’s good to go over them again,” she said. “You learn something new every time.”

Vincent said the event used to be a dinner and a lot of people came, but many of them are gone now.

“I’m still going strong,” said Vincent, a 17-year resident of West Shore Terrace.

John Cipalone, an eight-year resident of West Shore Terrace, said he enjoys meeting new people at events like this one.

“It was very nice to get together,” he said. “It’s beneficial to have the police and fire come and tell us things we don’t know, but you learn when you come here.”

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