Four councillors resign, Rapides des Joachims now administrated by Municipal Commission: Four councillors have resigned their seats in Rapides des Joachims, leaving council without quorum.

Rolland Dion, of the Municipal Commission and assigned to tutor Pontiac Municipality, has taken on the role as administrator of the municipality until the general elections in November.

“They have no quorum,” says Dion. “There are only three members left — the mayor and two councillors.”

Dion says council was considering holding a byelection to replace Coun. Cindy McAuley, who was absent from council meetings for eight months, but three more councillors resigned within the last month. Couns. Patsy Delahunt and Bud Kelvin Rousseau resigned May 1, while Coun. Marjorie Racine resigned May 7. McAuley eventually resigned May 16.

However, unlike the bickering and divisive politics and the failure to meet quorum which prompted Municipal Affairs to assign a tutor to Pontiac Municipality, there is no controversy in Rapides des Joachims.

“There is no big problem, no fights,” Dion says. “The people (on council) are working too far from the municipality or they have no time.”

MoP, Bristol wants pros, cons of amalgamation examined: Bristol council passed a resolution at its May meeting calling for a feasibility study on the amalgamation of Bristol with Quyon and North and South Onslow.

Couns. Scott Wilson, Chris Young, Don McCredie, George Pirie and Keith Smith voted in favour of the resolution tabled by Young. Coun. Ron Dagg voted against. Mayor Jack Graham abstained.

“Historically and culturally, Quyon and Bristol are connected,” says Bristol Mayor Jack Graham. “But we have to make an informed decision.That’s why we are asking for a feasibility study.”

This is not the first time Bristol has requested a feasibility study on the amalgamation of Quyon and the two Onslows. Last August, council passed a resolution calling for a feasibility study on the amalgamation of Quyon, the two Onslows, Bristol, Clarendon, Thorne and Shawville. However, the resolution, though sent to Municipal Affairs, was not acted upon.