Hector Soucie stepping down: After 33 years on municipal council, 30 years as mayor, Hector Soucie is stepping down.

Soucie says he made his decision in early June and after discussing it with family and friends, was certain he was making the right move.

“I said to myself, 33 years, enough is enough,” he says. “I’ve been telling them (present Fort Coulonge council) I’ll be checking in on them from time to time,” Soucie says.

“I think he did a good job for his municipality and deserves recognition for 30 years as mayor. He deserves a good retirement,” says Warden Robert Ladouceur.

Now, five children (four sons and a daughter) and 10 grandchildren later, Soucie has left his mark on Fort Coulonge and Pontiac.

More than $3,000 raised in Terry Fox Run, BBQ: When Theresa Fraser read THE EQUITY article about the upcoming Terry Fox Run, she thought to herself: “This is something I can do.”

So in one day, the part-time municipal secretary collected $111 in pledges and on Sunday she walked the 10-kilometre course for the first time.

One hundred and twenty-five people, plus a few participants of the four-legged variety, took part in this year’s Shawville’s run.

Combined with the Terry Fox barbecue earlier in the month, $3,080 was raised for the cause.

“You always think you can do more,” says John Petty, who organizes the local run with Rick Valin. Petty says the amount of money raised jumped thanks to individuals who donated and participants who sought pledges, such as Fraser.