MRC Meeting
Rave concerns and MRC shuffle
Bonnie James
Local Journalism Initiative
MRC PONTIAC – The MRC Pontiac’s Council of Mayors’ (CoM) monthly meeting returned August 21 to the MRC head-quarters in Litchfield after breaking for July.
Keep it down!
Erik Scobie of Campbell’s Bay raised concerns about the rave, known as the “Groove & Bass Festival”, held annually on Wilson Road in Litchfield. Scobie said the event isn’t properly
regulated compared to events in other municipalities where regulations address issues such as sanitation, emergency access, safety, drug use, etc.
Scobie cited concerns with excessively loud music playing from dawn until very late at night and reports of nudity on public beaches in Bryson during the event. He said he wants the sound levels to be regulated and hours of operation set.
MRC Warden Jane Toller responded that she is opposed to the event and has heard reports of nearby residents being unable to sleep for the duration due to the loud music. She agreed that “quality of life” guidelines need to be set and followed by organizers.
Litchfield Mayor Colleen Larivière clarified the event doesn’t receive a permit as it’s held on private property. The organizers advise the municipality of the event, who in turn advises the Sûreté du Quebec (SQ). Larivière said her hands are tied as there’s no municipal court to issue fines. She said the SQ does issue fines based on by-law violations, but the event is so profitable that the organizers simply pay the fines and carry on undeterred.
Toller said the issue would be raised with the MRC Public Security Committee to look into what further action can be taken.
The private property where the event is held is currently on the market.
More changes at the MRC
Director General Kim Lesage announced the promotion of Kari Richardson to the new role of Manager of Environment. Lesage said the creation of the new role was necessary due to the increasing number of environmental mandates and corresponding responsibilities handed down to the MRC by the government.
Richardson was working as MRC Environmental Coordinator. An undisclosed candidate who applied for the previous Environmental Coordinator for Waste Management posting (now occupied by Nina Digioacchino), has been selected to replace Richardson in her previous role.
Lesage also announced that Otter Lake Mayor Terry Lafleur applied for the position of Assistant Director General and has been selected for the job. If he accepts, he will need to resign from his position as mayor, triggering a by-election in Otter Lake. The job is scheduled to start September 15.
Less is More
Environmental Coordinator Nina Digioacchino announced the launch of a new waste reduction challenge called “Less is More”. It consists of seven challenges aimed at getting Pontiac residents to reduce the amount of waste they produce, which currently sits at approximately 322 kgs per resident annually. The challenges will include zero-waste lunches, Green Halloween, Buy Local Thanksgiving, and more. Residents can sign up for the challenge by visiting the MRC’s booth at the Shawville Fair or by scanning the QR code on pg. 3.
Play ball!
The CoM resolved to give the Bryson Recreation Association $12,764
from FRR 2 and the Municipality of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes $20,611 from FRR 4 to upgrade their baseball fields. These funds will top up the amounts already awarded to the RA and municipality for this purpose by the provincial government’s PAFIRSPA program.
The next CoM meeting will be held September 18.
