A Sad Story

I just found out that a man who has gone missing in Fort Erie is Mark Saltarelli, a good, gentle man who I knew from my many years as an assistant in an MPP's office. He spoke for those who couldn't speak for themselves. My heart goes out to his family.

Born and raised in Welland, Saltarelli has strong ties to the Welland community. For years, he has been the voice of the disadvantaged. He has lobbied all levels of government on a variety of social issues including affordable housing and increasing the minimum wage. He is described by family and friends as a social, community-minded and generous person. For the past 12 years, he has worked as a housing help services co-ordinator at the Hope Centre in Welland. The centre operates an emergency hostel and soup kitchen for the homeless. Previously, he worked with the Niagara South Social Safety Net committee, the Community Resource Action Centre and the Welland Housing Help Centre. Now, the man who dedicated his life to helping the homeless, has been away from home for five days, braving the snow, wind and bitterly cold temperatures.