City looks to assist stranded seniors

Seniors in Sundance are already facing the prospect of a winter trapped in their homes, but an idea from the city council may be able to dig them out of the hole.

Council Member Jana McLean, whose day job is Director of Crook County Senior Services, mentioned the problem to the council last week and asked for suggestions to solve it. After heavy snowfall, she explained, it can be difficult for some seniors to clear their own driveways.

Not every senior has family living in the area, she continued, so there are a few around town who have no relations available to help shovel. Senior services workers are then unable to collect them from their homes because, while they can make their way to the door on foot, they cannot take the elderly person back through the snow to a vehicle.

The city itself is simply not staffed to be able to assist, no matter how much it would like to, said Public Works Director Mac Erickson.

Newest Council Member Callie Hilty suggested that high school kids might be prevailed upon to help. Council Member Brad Marchant agreed, noting that students are required to perform a certain number of hours of community service and this would be a perfect opportunity.

“We’ll try that for starters,” said Mayor Paul Brooks, asking McLean to create a list of names and addresses where help is needed that can then be presented to the school district.