Valley Voices
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Positive effects of combating pollutants surface at Lac Gauvreau
September 1st, 2010
The Editor,
Re Lac Gauvreau dodges red light on blue-green algae (Low Down News, Aug. 18 edition):
Notwithstanding the unnecessarily alarmist headline, your report provides a mostly accurate and reasonable description of the blue-green algae situation on Lac Gauvreau. Read More…
Investing in a green future for La Peche, Quebec
August 25th, 2010
By Christopher Minnes
What’s my vision for La Pêche? Citizens working together for sustainable economic development in the Outaouais while avoiding the costly mistakes of other urban areas.
The La Peche council plans for a 100-acre industrial park threaten this potential. Read More…
Expectations face off with financial reality at Meredith Centre in Chelsea, Quebec
August 18th, 2010
By Marcel Gauvreau
I campaigned in Chelsea, Quebec on a platform of fiscal responsibility, efficient management and common sense during the municipal elections last November. Once in office, I was committed to having the Meredith Centre (MC) see the light of day while respecting two core priorities:
1. The community centre component will be the centrepiece of the complex;
2. The MC will not go over budget. Read More…
Arena the come-on in Meredith Centre bait-and-switch scheme in Chelsea, Quebec
August 11th, 2010
The editor,
So how does everyone who voted in favour of the Meredith Centre project in Chelsea, Quebec feel about being victims of a bait-and-switch scheme to get your support for a borrowing by-law to get the funds to build a government mini-conference centre and redundant additional gym space? Read More…
Flaps down on Mirabel Centre landing in Chelsea, Quebec
August 4th, 2010
The Editor,
The lack of reader reaction to last week’s story in the Low Down (July 28 edition) about the municipality in Chelsea, Quebec arbitrarily dropping the arena and going with a gym and conference centre amazed me. Read More…
Time to shelve Chelsea, Quebec Meredith Centre
July 21st, 2010
By Richard Hofer
Hopelessly over budget, with no financing in place, no sewer and water, no professional environmental impact statement, Chelsea council has now finally admitted the obvious: This turkey will not fly. So they have dropped the hockey arena from the Meredith Centre footprint.
After seeing the spending of a third of a million dollars (and counting) and desperate to save face (and the job prospects of excess municipal staff and an small army of consultants), we are now confronted with the proposition that Chelsea should tear down its existing community centre, build two new gymnasia, and get into the conference centre and wedding reception and bar business. Read More…
Chelsea, Qc council must list aims in order of priority
July 14th, 2010
By Kensel Tracy
In response to the Valley Voices article, “Normal Democratic Process ongoing at City Hall” (Low Down, July 7 edition), I wanted to thank Sheldon Weatherstone for continuing to represent the views of Chelsea, Quebec residents with our new Chelsea Citizen’s Association.
Ward 6 Councillor Edmond Hetu has some very valid comments and points out that council is following a normal democratic process of trying to do the right thing for residents and taxpayers. Read More…
Normal democratic process on-going at Chelsea, Qc town hall
July 7th, 2010
By Edmond Hetu
Letter-writer Sheldon Weatherstone asks, “What’s going on at City Hall?” (Low Down, June 23 edition). Though I suspect the question was rhetorical, let me answer, on behalf of one member of council.
What’s going on is, quite simply, the normal democratic process of trying to do the right thing for residents and taxpayers. The business of running the city falls squarely on the shoulders of the civil servants . . . and part of that business deals with the mechanics of long-term planning and anticipating the needs of the town and, in the process, making recommendations to elected officials who, lest we forget, represent those who elected them and those who ultimately pay the bill. Read More…
Ditch Meredith Centre, save rural Chelsea
June 30th, 2010
A $15 - $20M. Municipal Water & Sewer for the Meredith Centre and Chelsea Creek Estates, etc. What has been really going on? -A chronology.
By Sheldon Weatherston
After two years of “not-a-penny-more” promises for the Meredith Centre, we learn that is not exactly the case. Apparently Municipal Water and Sewer has always been part of the deal. A scheme so expensive it will require developers to increase their density and total numbers of buildings to afford it. Other long-term costs include the ‘economic imperative’ for full utilization of its suburban capacity, i.e. a population of 3000 who would otherwise settle in Gatineau, overwhelming our historic villages. What follows are the facts as accurate as we have been allowed to discover. Read More…
Open letter to Mayor Bussiere
June 24th, 2010
Mr Mayor, Members of the Municipal Council of La Peche
I appreciated very much the opportunity to attend the Municipal Council meeting of 7 June, 2010, and to be able to place my questions before the Council on the important item of a potential Industrial Park (or Commercial Park) for the Municipality of La Peche. I believe the discussion highlights the fact that there are a large number of questions which have not been raised on this and other issues. Read More…
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Has anyone noticed that there’s a huge, VACANT industrial building between Chelsea and Hautes-Plaines, on the East side of Hwy 5, which has been up for rent/sale for at last 4 years? How then can there be any economic justification for building another one here? What businesses are going to fill it?
Seems to me like a bad idea… a complete waste of money - besides the other ramifications. Why would you turn an already thriving & successful tourist destination (& historic region) into an industrial center?