Allyson Beauregard
CAMPBELL’S BAY – The regular Council of Mayors meeting that took place June 21 included presentations by the Sûreté du Quebec as well as representatives from “Green PPJ Verte”, a request from the Royal Canadian Legion, a discussion about TNO bridge repairs, and a plan for long distance transportation.
Allyson Beauregard
CAMPBELL’S BAY – The regular Council of Mayors meeting that took place June 21 included presentations by the Sûreté du Quebec as well as representatives from “Green PPJ Verte”, a request from the Royal Canadian Legion, a discussion about TNO bridge repairs, and a plan for long distance transportation.
Three representatives from the newly formed group, “Green PPJ Verte”, Dominique Bomans, Suzanne Vallières-Nollet, and Remo Pafteris, asked to be part of the committee studying the possibility of allowing ATVs to use some municipal roads or any part of the PPJ trail. Aside from protecting the PPJ for cyclists and pedestrians, the group wants to promote the trail. “Current users were not included in this
committee. Everyone has the right to enjoy their activities in a safe environment. We will be setting up a website, and working with other organizations so we can promote the trail and tap into the multi-million dollar cycling industry,” said Pafteris.
Warden Raymond Durocher stressed that it is only an evaluation taking place and that nothing has been set in stone. “The provincial government
will not allow motorized
vehicles on the PPJ,” he added. A motion was passed to allow two members of “Green PPJ Verte” to be part of the committee studying the issue.
Pierre Bourassa from the Royal Canadian Legion asked the Council to
re-install the legion’s war monument back on the MRC grounds rather than relocating it elsewhere. Council agreed the MRC grounds is the best location for the monument and they will work with the Legion in the coming months to “explore all avenues” for having it re-installed at the front of the building.
Regent Dugas, MRC Pontiac Director of Territory explained that $120,000 will be invested from the TNO budget ($55,000 from the regular budget and $65,000 from the lease fund) to repair bridges in the TNO area. The MRC will be partnering with other groups and organizations to complete some of the projects, which represent a total investment of about $700,000.
Alain Langevin from the Sûreté du Quebec (SQ) gave a Powerpoint presentation detailing the SQ’s activities over the last year. Due to a 25% increase in police presence in the region, crimes against people dropped by 9% and crimes against property were reduced by 62%. Over the next year, the SQ will be targeting fraud against seniors.
The MRC recently received a proposal from Transcollines bus lines regarding long distance transportation to replace Thom Transport which will cease operations in August. The MRC was asked to contribute $31,500 towards maintaining a public
transportation service in the region representing 10% of the total investment required, as well as participate in selling monthly bus passes with help from individual municipalities. The funding will cover an 18 month
period. The Municipality of Pontiac was asked to contribute $13,500 (4%) and the Ministry of Transport about $186,000, among others. “Transcollines is looking at different options and the service will definitely be improved,” said MRC Assistant Director General Gabrielle Lance, noting that they also considering offering additional runs at different times. Funds from the MRC’s FDT budget will be used to cover the expense.
The next Council meeting will be held August 16.
