Emily Rodas- Councillor for Municipal District of St. Stephen

05/04/2026

David Hickey would you help us keep Lonicera Hall open by subsidizing some rooms for seniors?

05/03/2026

🆘 In FULL transparency, I am disheartened to share that Lonicera Hall is demonstrating a lack of openness to municipal support, provincial support, and local donor support to keep the residents in their home and keep the doors open to this beautiful, historic residence. Unfortunately, this letter does not indicate this missing puzzle piece, hence why I’ve decided to share the truth.

As a councillor with days left within my term, I am formally requesting more transparency to our citizens from the board in its entirety as to how Maria F. Ganong’s wishes are unable to continue be fulfilled WHEN support HAS been offered.

In speaking with Mayor MacEachern and Hon. Kathy Bockus at length, and community leaders who have stepped up to offer financial means, government partnerships and even board membership - I feel we deserve to know the truth as to why our seniors have to move out. People like Dot Larsen who have impacted every child in our community, and Fred Nicholson who at one time, saved Charlotte County Hospital from closure and was an active board member for Lonicera.

Our local hospital is at capacity with people waiting for nursing home beds, we have a major lack of seniors housing or independent living options, and I know for a fact this is why our levels of government are supportive. It is absolutely unacceptable and I will do everything I can in my power to ensure it is saved, just as it has been by community leaders many times prior to this in the 90 years it has operated.

Lonicera board members: the petition has neared 1000 signatures and we deserve to have our voices heard, and care for our most vulnerable seniors. Large transitions later in life can actually lead them to decline quickly and near end of life sooner. I encourage you to reach out a board members directly if you care.

I have listed the names below, out of desperation, as there is a refusal to answer calls or questions. They will most likely tell you that there is only one spokesperson and they can’t answer questions, but remind them as a sitting board member they have a responsibility to care for those seniors and their well-being. The seniors are devastated who live there and I truly cannot believe this is the direction they continue to take.

This is the most updated list on their website. Thank you for caring. You can make a difference today. Write your council, MLA, or Susan Holt herself. We are all in support, it’s time to pull together.

Yvette Sawyer – President
Charles Carson – Vice-President
Susan Schnier – Secretary
K. Randall Reid – Treasurer
Bonnie MacKinnon, Trustee
David Lambert – Trustee
Mike MacKinnon – Trustee
Carol MacIntee – Trustee
Joyce Walker-Haley – Trustee
Birdeena Dalzell – Trustee
Brenda Murphy – Trustee

Government partners:
Please support us in a short-term operational plan. I could fill these rooms tomorrow with low-income seniors who do not require a Special Care Home, Nursing Home or Hospital. Our seniors need an affordable independent living option!

Minister of Housing David Hickey
Minister of Social Development Cindy Miles
Premier Susan Holt
Minister of Seniors Lyne Chantal Boudreau
Health Minister John Dornan

04/30/2026

04/29/2026

Congratulations Val on a lasting legacy with St. Stephen Seniors Complex. You are a wonderful advocate for the folks you serve and will surely be missed. All the best on your next chapter! 📕

To the residents, families, and my incredible team,

As I prepare to step away from my role after almost twenty years in this home — and eight years in management — I find myself reflecting on just how much this place has shaped me. This hasn’t simply been a workplace. It has been a community, a second family, and a place where I have witnessed extraordinary strength, compassion, and humanity every single day.

To our residents: thank you for trusting me, for teaching me patience, humour, and resilience, and for allowing me to be part of your lives. You have given me far more than I could ever give back.

To the families: it has been an honour to support your loved ones alongside you. Your partnership, your honesty, and your unwavering advocacy have always reminded me why this work matters.

To the staff: you are the heart of this home. Your dedication, your kindness, and your willingness to show up for others — even on the hardest days — is something I will always admire. Leading you has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.

Although it is time for me to move on, I leave with deep gratitude and pride in what we have built together. This home will always hold a special place in my heart.

With appreciation,
Valerie Munn🙂

04/24/2026

My wife & love of my life! PROUD 🥹 Katelyn Rodas - eXp Realty

04/24/2026

📣 ATTENTION PETITION SIGNERS 📣Chipping in on Change.org, as it says when it asks you, only BOOSTS the petition, the money does NOT go directly to Lonicera Hall. This petition is for signatures only BUT I am keeping track via email if anyone if looking to be added to a donor LIST to be contacted in future.

I can see on my end that a number of you have “chipped in,” if you’re happy that it’s helping to boost the petition that is okay, but if you thought it was going to Lonicera - Change.org can give you a refund up to 3 months here:

https://help.change.org/contact-us

I apologize for the confusion, I was only just made aware and will be writing this at the bottom of the petition itself so people better understand.

Thank you!!!

Join over 500,000,000 people creating real change in their communities.

04/23/2026

LET’S GET 💥5000💥 signatures to SAVE LONICERA, I KNOW we can! Share with as many friends as you can! YOU can make the change!

Keep her Doors Open: Save Lonicera Hall in St. Stephen

04/22/2026

✨Lonicera Hall ✨Please SHARE & SIGN petition below, for the members of the board, government partners, and MOST importantly, the residents of Maria's home ❤

Keep her Doors Open: Save Lonicera Hall in St. Stephen

04/22/2026

Saving Lonicera Hall & Last Council Meeting & Thank you, and you, and you 🥹

Please sign petition here: https://c.org/vMFZkBqXkc

04/20/2026

🆘 Can’t stop thinking about Lonicera. Anyone down to join the cause and save this local beauty? Comment below!👇🏼 We’ve done it with Santa’s Helpers, with Hospice, now we’ve got another shot at stepping up together. Let’s do it! 💪🏽

04/16/2026

My heart is broken. Lonicera Hall is a timeless staple of our community. We have a dire need for Hospice Care in St. Stephen. Perhaps Bobby's Hospice - Hospice Greater Saint John would consider a satellite operation?

I've always dreamed of supporting end-of-life patients in a home like this. Premier Susan Holt & Minister John Dornan, what are your thoughts?! Government of New Brunswick perhaps you'd like to take a tour of Maria Ganong's historic home and keep her last wishes of providing our town with a Senior's Home alive

Please find below the Board’s public announcement.