On February 13, the city of Limanowa witnessed the inauguration of its newly formed Miejska Rada Seniorów, or City Senior Council, during elections held at the Limanowa City Hall. The event commenced with opening statements by Mayor Jolanta Juszkiewicz, who welcomed the attending senior citizens and emphasized the importance of this council as a voice for the elderly community.
The Miejska Rada Seniorów serves as the advisory and opinion-forming body to the Mayor, dedicated to representing the interests and concerns of seniors. This endeavor aims to integrate seniors more fully within the community, addressing their unique needs and promoting solutions to social issues pertinent to the older demographic. Mayor Juszkiewicz highlighted this intention, stating, "The City Senior Council is intended to include seniors in social life, addressing their needs and solving significant individual and group issues."
The meeting was divided distinctly: the first portion involved presentations of the candidates vying for seats on the council, followed by the actual voting process led by the Chairwoman of the election committee, Małgorzata Kurczab. Fair representation was assured, comprising 15 members total—two representatives from the Mayor, two from the City Council, and eleven from senior organizations.
Participants enthusiastically engaged with the candidates during their presentations, which detailed their visions and plans for the council, sparking discussions about enhancing community activities and support. Justyna Tokarczyk, head of the Department of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Promotion, articulated the significance of the Senior Council, stating: "The main role of the Council is to represent seniors' interests to the Limanowa City authorities, ensuring high quality of life." Her statement underscored the necessity of seniors' active participation and involvement for the community's well-being.
The elections culminated with the announcement of the newly elected representatives: Zofia Frączyk, Urszula Golińska-Kupec, Bożena Golonka, Maria Kurczab, Jadwiga Jasica-Statkowska, Stanisław Strug, Małgorzata Sułkowska, Dorota Szewczyk, Tadeusz Wrona, Helena Zborowska, and Wiktoria Zelek.
With the elections now complete, the anticipation builds for the first session of the Miejska Rada Seniorów, which is scheduled to take place next week. This meeting will formalize the transition and outline the council’s agenda for addressing the pressing issues faced by the senior community. The establishment of the Miejska Rada Seniorów signifies not just the inclusion of seniors within the local governance framework, but also reinforces Limanowa’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community where every voice is heard and valued.
The newly elected representatives are expected to bring diverse experiences and insights, greatly contributing to the welfare and quality of life for seniors across Limanowa. Their initiatives and actions may pave the way for increased collaboration between the elderly and local government, ensuring their needs are prioritized and adequately met.