Dear Editor,
Like the leaves coming down from the trees at this time of year, so are the multiple leaflets and other types of publicity media falling into our mailboxes from the different candidates. But the most impressive one is the one coming from the outgoing candidate for the position of Warden in the MRC Pontiac. Impressive indeed when the front panel talks about “keeping the Pontiac moving forward” and outlines 11 ongoing priorities and highlights the “leadership” during the 2019 flood and the COVID-19 pandemic, without forgetting to mention, of course, the notions of vision, action, and “transparency.” Really?
First, we have not moved forward in the last four years, except for the parking lot at the MRC building that was finally refurbished after many years of neglect notwithstanding the financial capacity to do so before.
As for the 11 “priorities,” they were not set by the MRC table. There was a consensus on 10 priorities and not in the final order presented to the public. The 11th priority (Pontiac Aqua Gym) is a personal one. And by the way, this priority is totally unrealistic and not an MRC priority. Otherwise the project presented in 2010, which is well documented, would have been put forward, were it not for for the astronomical operating costs. This aspect is never mentioned in what is presently being shown to the public.
Thirdly, the main “leadership” in the 2019 flood and the pandemic is attributable to the mayors and their respective council who had to handle the situations on the forefront. Issuing letters to seasonal residents to cross a sanitary control border without valid reason is not a sign of leadership to me.
As for transparency, well when one needs to change its views on certain files according to personal objectives pursued, one is to question the true meaning of “transparency.” It does not hold on just a statement that you put out loud at the beginning of each meeting but how you apply it in your duties. I must however mention that this aspect is not quite always well understood by many elected officials, even though formal training is mandatory to all newly elected officials.
Finally, pulling out the family “photo album” to promote your campaign does not instill credibility, nor does the abuse of the words “try,” “hope” and “wish.”
We have two options on Nov. 7, we “stand still” or we take a chance and put our “two hands on the steering wheel” like a former Prime Minister once said.
Jean-Pierre Landry, Campbell’s Bay, Que.
