Carl Hager
MRC PONTIAC – Warden Jane Toller’s campaign promise to make the MRC more
Carl Hager
MRC PONTIAC – Warden Jane Toller’s campaign promise to make the MRC more
transparent and accessible to rate payers was evident on January 17 when the first evening meeting was held. About 10 members of the public were present in addition to members of the press. Warden Toller said, in response to a statement made by Colleen Fleming who referenced the new approach: “We are here for the people of the Pontiac”.
André Fortin had been in the Pontiac earlier in the week when he announced $1.5 million funding for refurbishment of the Red Covered Bridge with work to start almost immediately. He also met with the mayors later that afternoon
as part of a province wide consultation process on how money could be accessed more easily by municipalities for road repairs. Toller said that mayors want the process changed so that the municipalities decide which road work is needed instead of the Ministry of Transport Québec (MTQ) adding more flexibility is
needed in the MTQ’s five year road work plans.
After summarizing a well attended “Revitalizing the Forestry Industry” meeting, also held on January 15th (see page 7) the warden struck a forestry committee on which she and MRC Director of Territory, Régent Dugas, will sit, along with others; the goal is to solicit financial help from the provincial government.
The MRC will be sending a letter to Health Minister Barrette in support of the Santé 2020 report which said that health services in the Pontiac are on the decline because of CISSSO’s decisions and actions to centralize services.
A notice of motion was given by the Municipality of Bristol that asked the MRC to “unfreeze” the land around the Chats Falls site so that private land owners in the zone can be allowed to develop their land for their own purposes.
This should not prevent the development of the public park project.
Other issues were discussed: the MRC is looking into the MTQ requirements to set up bus stops along the Hwy 148 bus route currently managed by TransCollines bus service; the MRC has requested that Bell include building a cell phone tower in Pontiac Ouest, in their next 18 month plan —the current Bell plan includes a new tower to come in the Otter Lake / Thorne area, but the exact location is to be determined; the slaughterhouse project in Shawville is being discussed again, but requires certification and is looking for investment; and the MRC wants the provincial government to take over management of the Black River Road as this is too big a responsibility for the MRC to handle.
