Allyson Beauregard
MRC PONTIAC – The 18 Pontiac mayors gathered for their monthly Council of Mayors meeting, February 20, at the MRC headquarters in Campbell’s Bay. The
meeting lasted less than an hour, and no members of the public attended.
Allyson Beauregard
MRC PONTIAC – The 18 Pontiac mayors gathered for their monthly Council of Mayors meeting, February 20, at the MRC headquarters in Campbell’s Bay. The
meeting lasted less than an hour, and no members of the public attended.
One of the biggest items on the agenda was a request sent to Pontiac MNA André Fortin, the driving force behind the creation of the Pontiac’s economic development ‘SWAT’ team, asking for the entire group to reconvene for an official meeting and to set a schedule for future meetings. Warden Jane Toller stated that although there have been conference calls and small meetings within the various sub-committees, the entire team hasn’t met in about a year, which has created the sense that there is a lack of urgency in their actions.
“We are so fortunate to have this team, it’s one of only a few in the province, but we don’t want to feel like we are spinning our wheels and we need more of the committee members to be better informed [about what’s going on],” said Toller, who is a member of the team herself.
Toller said the image portrayed by the word SWAT – that actions are performed quickly, urgently, and effectively – isn’t being lived up to, although the abattoir project is one of the SWAT team’s success stories. LiveWell is also one of their projects. “More regular meetings will put the pressure on for results,” added Toller.
Other business
Council agreed to spend almost $20,000 to buy an ATV and a boat/trailer/motor set from a local dealer to use for operations within the TNO. A $16,500 provincial grant will cover a portion of the cost and the TNO budget will cover the balance.
The MRC has hired Travis Ladouceur, a Mansfield resident, to be the organization’s clerk following Nancy Dagenais’ retirement. Ladouceur will begin work April 1.
Council approved the MRC’s Investment Committee’s recommendations for donations and sponsorships: $3,750 for the Country Festival, under the major events policy; $500 to the Canadian Ski Marathon for security on a three-
day skiing expedition École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge (ESSC) students will be attending; and $500 to ESSC for food required on the same trip.
The next Council of Mayors meeting will be held March 20.
