A response to Bonnie James’ editorial “Alleyn-et-Cawood deserves fairness, not a lawsuit” (Jan. 29).
I had to bite my tongue as well when MRC Warden Jane Toller read the resolution to take legal action against Alleyn-et-Cawood (AC) at the January 22 MRC meeting. I was ashamed when I saw the mayors vote: 14-3 in favour.
I am proud of the three mayors – Jennifer Quaile, Odette Godin, and Carl Mayer, as well as Pro-Mayor Robert Wills – for voting against suing one of our own municipalities.
This is a no-brainer. The MRC has a surplus – use it. A surplus exists for emergencies, and this is an emergency. Pay the overcharge and go after the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for the money instead. The MRC’s job is to look after the best interests of its 18 municipalities. Let’s not forget that AC is one of the smallest among them. I agree with James – AC deserves fairness, not a lawsuit.
And I second that the rest of the Council of Mayors need to do the right thing: drop the legal action and be a good neighbour.
It takes strong leadership in politics to do what is right. Finally, Trudeau did the right thing by stepping down. Maybe Jane Toller should follow suit. In my opinion, she can go against the auditor’s advice. The decision she just made will be reflected in the vote in November 2025.
Furthermore, the Municipality of Fort-Coulonge should consider donating the $96,980.68 they received from the MRC for a self-cleaning toilet towards the overcharge of AC’s municipal shares. Let’s put this in perspective: what is more important—a toilet or the vitality of a municipality?
Lynn Blazek
Thorne
Ed.
