Throughout her time with the Renfrew County Community Poverty Action Network, retired coordinator Lyn Smith guided the development of programs like Tools for School, etc…
In her retirement, Lyn will not necessarily abandon the committee involvement that had been companion to her role.
One of the issues facing the lower income demographic is that “minimum wage” does not mean “living wage.”
Lyn says couch surfing is no substitute for shelter.
While rents are more reasonable for rural residents, a lack of transportation alternatives makes that option less viable.
Turning railways into ATV trails does nothing to help the poor from point A to point B
Smith says parents with appointments at CHEO can find getting there is the biggest obstacle.
Lyn Smith believes in the theory of the ounce of prevention, versus the costs of a pound of cure- and while she has some common sense ideas on accomplishing these tasks, she says her experience with dealing with the political realm at all three levels has convinced her she has no patience to stand as a candidate for elected office.
By Rick Stow
