Martin C. Barry

A perfect ten. If the people of Deux-Montagnes were scoring the Canada Day they had this past July 1, that would almost certainly be the number.

For not only was the weather sunny, but there wasn’t even a hint of the mid-afternoon thunderstorm activity that has plagued many a Canada Day celebration in the North Shore region in the past.

Great day for Canada

“A super day,” Deux-Montagnes city councillor Michel Mendes said in an interview with the North Shore News. “Everybody’s in a pretty good mood. Nothing can go wrong today.”

This year the Canada Day festivities organizing committee decided to pay homage to the city’s directors of police (Patrick Denis), fire (Norbert Vendette) and public works (Jean Fayomi) for the key role they played this past spring in saving Deux-Montagnes from a recurrence of the flooding that swept through the area two years ago.

The weather cooperated

It was Deux-Montagnes 48^th annual Canada Day celebration. (Just two years to go before a really big 50^th anniversary bash for the country’s birthday on July 1 2021.) “The weather’s helped out and is looking really good,” said longtime event MC Tom Whitton.

Carly Leblanc, a lifelong Deux-Montagnes resident and recent Lake of Two Mountains High School graduate, performed the country’s national anthem on the steps of city hall, as well as later on stage in Central Park.

Thanks to Parade Marshalls

“Today we are very happy to be able to honour our parade marshals, people from Deux-Montagnes who worked so very hard this past spring,” said Mayor Denis Martin, addressing the crowd in Central Park from the stage at the beginning of the festivities.

“The whole team did a fantastic job on the floods. I think this year we were prepared. And we had a good team to get the job done during 30 days and nights. I can’t say just how grateful we all are.” The mayor noted that the city’s director-general, Benoit Ferland, also played a key role, although Ferland could not be present on Canada Day as he was travelling outside the country.

Martin C. Barry

Lingering concerns about future flooding in Rosemère as well as questions about the town’s new billing system for the water tax were two major issues which emerged during the latest town council meeting on July 8.

Town’s 2020 flood plans

During the open plenary session which takes place prior to the regular council meeting, a resident of Thorncliffe St. asked Mayor Eric Westram what measures the town is planning in case there is flooding next year similar to what was experienced this past spring.

“We have a study going on at the moment,” said Westram. “We’re studying the three dams that we have on our territory to see if they could resist another flooding situation. We’re also looking at the general territory to see if there’s a need to put extra dikes to prevent anything from happening.”

Sandbags no longer do

According to Westram, the idea of using sandbags each year now for the past few years is starting to wear a little thin, considering the flooding situation appears to be getting more serious with the increasing prevalence of environmental warming.

“What we’d basically like to do is stabilize the situation as much as we can,” he said. “Now the problem is that the government has put a stop on all construction and renovations in the flooded areas. So even if I wanted to do something like that tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t be allowed to put it.”

New flood zones in effect

As Westram said, the provincial government has issued a new flood-zone map with greatly extended coverage – and which a number of communities and municipalities on the North Shore, in Laval and in the Montreal region are contesting for what they claim is inaccuracy.

“The cities are contesting the flood zones because the map that came up, to us it doesn’t make any sense. If you look at that map, there are places that were never flooded and that will never be flooded. So there’s a sort of negotiation going on at the moment between the government and the different cities. What we want the map to reflect is the actual reality of the situation.”

Construction freeze in place

Westram said he hoped the matter would be resolved before next spring, “because the problem occurs in springtime.” However, for the time being a general freeze on construction or renovations in the new flood zones is in effect, he added.

The mayor said that two flood-zone maps are currently circulating: one produced by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, and another issued by the provincial government. He called the former “a good reflection of the situation,” while saying in the case of the other the province “decided to put flood zones almost everywhere – which makes no sense.”

They want map revised

He said Rosemère and other municipalities are asking Quebec to recognize the CMM map, although some corrections might also be made to it. Westram also suggested that what the town also wants is for Quebec to create rules allowing property owners to build flood defences of their own.

As was the situation last month, a number of Rosemèrites came forward at this month’s council meeting to express a degree of befuddlement with the water tax bills they received beginning this spring. Rosemère’s water billing system has been revamped to reflect higher water consumption in the form of a higher tax for those users.

Water bill questions again

However, some residents have complained that they don’t understand why they’ve being billed more when they are not aware of having used more water over the past year. A woman at the July council meeting in this situation was told to cheque for water seepage in her household, including run-on toilets.

“You’d be surprised,” said Westram, noting that he had one faucet in his house that was leaking a drop of water every four to five seconds. He said he left a bucket beneath it, and upon returning in the evening the bucket was overflowing. “It’s amazing how a slight run in a toilet or a leaky faucet can cause water consumption to rise.”

(NSN) As part of an official signing of the guestbook in the library’s atrium last week, the Town of Rosemère wanted to highlight the outstanding sports achievements of eight young athletes from Rosemère, including seven who participated in the 54^th Finals of the winter Jeux du Québec and another who made history in the field of women’s golf.

Outstanding athletes

“I am very impressed with the dedication and discipline shown by these young people on a daily basis,” said Mayor Eric Westram. “Rosemère is very proud to have among its residents athletes who stand out on the national and international scene.”

The signing ceremony took place on June 19 with the young athletes and their families. Mahée Bellemare (gymnastics), Émile Cloutier (diving), Olivier Desrosiers (fencing), Samuel Lachance (boys’ hockey), Frédérick Maltais (boys’ hockey), Samuel Philippe (speed skating) and Jeanne Renaud (girls’ hockey) were proud to represent the Town of Rosemère in Quebec City from March 1-9, 2019.

An elite golfer

Émile Cloutier won a silver and a bronze medal in diving 1 and 3 metres. Olivier Desrosiers won two gold medals in fencing (individual and team). Jeanne Renaud won a gold medal in girls’ hockey. As for Brigitte Thibault, she was recruited by Golf Canada to join a group of 17 elite athletes who are part of one of the national amateur and junior Team Canada teams in 2019.

Thibault is the first Canadian golfer to take part in the first Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament, bringing together the best amateur female golfers in the world. The Fresno State University student had the chance to play on Augusta National’s fairways on the same course used during the Masters Tournament. She joins the Amateur Team as a rookie, after having competed in three finals and scoring among the top 10.

The schedule for the 48^th edition of Canada Day celebrated in Deux-Montagnes, was announced at a press conference held yesterday at City Hall.  The Mayor of Deux-Montagnes, Mr. Denis Martin, and the President of the Canada Day Committee for MRC Deux-Montagnes, Mr. Tom Whitton have invited the entire MRC population to gather in large numbers on Monday, July 1st at Central Park in Deux-Montagnes.

“It is an honour for the City of Deux-Montagnes to be a partner for Canada Day, an event which always brings together citizens of the region.  For all who accept the invitation, it is the ideal moment to celebrate our pride in being Canadian though a variety of activities in our image,” declared Mr. Denis Martin, Mayor of Deux-Montagnes.

For his part, Mr. Tom Whitton mentioned, “Deux-Montagnes is, by far, the best place to celebrate Canada Day on the North Shore or in the Greater Montreal Region.  I must thank our partners, the City of Deux-Montagnes, the Government of Canada, Desjardins – Caisse de Saint-Eustache/Deux-Montagnes, Selection Deux-Montagnes and Groupe JCL (L’Éveil/Nord-Info) for their substantial contribution to our memorable cultural event.”

As in years past, a parade will kick off the celebrations.  The parade will start at the Royal Canadian Legion at 11 h 45, leading to City Hall, where our national anthem, “O Canada” will be sung.  The parade will then continue on to Central Park.  In naming a Parade Marshall for 2019, the Committee is honoured to recognize not a single person, but all of the employees of the three front-line departments which protected Deux-Montagnes from the flood water all through this past spring:

• Public Works and Technical Services Department
• Deux-Montagnes/Sainte-Marthe-Sur-Le-Lac Intermunicipal Fire Department
• Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes Police Force

The Festivities – New Activities

Starting at 12:30pm, many family activities will be offered: face-painting, train rides, horseshoes tournament, etc.  New for 2019 – pony rides and a giant bubble workshop.

Live music featuring artists from the region will be presented from 3pm right up to midnight.  The headlining band is Persuasion, a tribute to Santana, not forgetting, of course, the spectacular fireworks display, presented by the City of Deux-Montagnes, which will fill the sky at 10:15pm.

A Place for Teens and Young Adults

Thanks to support from Canadian Heritage, a new sub-committee of teens and young adults was form to organize different activities targeting their age group : Virtual Reality Gaming Station, an Escape game, a « Chill Zone », as well as giant games, including Jenga, Foosball and Hungry Hippos.

The complete schedule is attached to this press release and can also be consulted on the Committee’s web site at www.celebrationcanada-mrcdm.ca  

Generous Partners

“Again this year, the Caisse Desjardins of Saint-Eustache/Deux-Montagnes is happy to be a partner in Canada Day.  As a cooperative, the Caisse has as its mission to contribute to the social and economic well-being of our society, and being a part of festivities in our community is another concrete example of our contribution,” underlined Mr. Neil Hawthorn, Director General of Caisse Desjardins.

Ms. Ginette Collin, Director General of Selection Deux-Montagnes, also expressed her pleasure to contribute to Canada Day, “At Selection Deux-Montagnes, all is in place to offer a stimulating retirement in a life framework well anchored in the local community.  Let us share special moments during this day.  Happy Canada Day to all! »

Finally, we must also highlight the support from our major sponsors for the event: Benoit Charette, Provincial MNA for Deux-Montagnes, Lanthier & Beatty Construction and RTS Installations.

If you would like to volunteer for the day, please contact Christine Neumayer at 514 827-1361.

Martin C. Barry

A Deux-Montagnes man who lives within line-of-sight of the city’s main water tower on Guy St. suggested during the June 12 city council meeting that cellular communications antennae attached to the tower are the cause of brain cancers contracted by four residents over six years within a half-kilometre radius.

RF radiation concerns

Tony Breault of Des Manoirs St. has posted several videos on YouTube in which he wonders whether the radio frequency signals emitted by cell phone companies that rent space from the City of Deux-Montagnes for their antennae on the water tower is making residents sick.

During the council meeting, Breault asked Mayor Denis Martin whether, “for the safety and security of your residents,” would the city consider removing antennae placed on the tower by Rogers, Telus, Videotron and at least one other communications service provider.

Wants contracts cancelled

He also wants Deux-Montagnes to cancel contracts with the companies for future use of municipal property for that purpose, unless they are located more than 500 meters from schools, children’s daycares, parks or long-term care residences.

Breault claims that four Deux-Montagnes residents within the 500-metre area were diagnosed with rare primary brain cancers between 2011 and 2017. He says two lived directly across the street from each other on 19^th Ave. between Guy and du Boisé.

As well, he maintains that one of those stricken attended nearby Mountainview Elementary and Lake of Two Mountains High School for a total of seven years. He notes that the two schools are just across the street from the water tower, and that a CPE is also very close by.

Less RF than average: mayor

Mayor Martin acknowledged being in contact with Breault recently. Breault says he began contacting city officials with his concerns as early as May last year. The mayor said that a study conducted for the city of the RF coming off the tower concluded that it was less than the average.

Breault denied this during the council meeting. “Please stop saying that it’s less than the average – it’s not true,” he said. The mayor said he understood that it is a sensitive issue. “Nearly half the population at one time or another will be affected by one form or another of cancer.

‘Emotional issue,’ says mayor

“The causes can vary, can be different, and this is a very emotional issue,” the mayor continued, noting that his family has been particularly susceptible to cancer. “I myself had it in 2005,” he said. All the same, he said he had to base the city’s decisions on facts, while at the same time noting that cellular antennae are set up in other places in Deux-Montagnes, including the steeples of two churches on Oka Rd.

“I could go so far as stop those contracts you’re talking about, or have them go on a tower somewhere else,” said the mayor, pointing out that the city also puts its police and fire department radio antennae on the water tower. “We have to act on facts, but there are no facts right now that would allow us to change what’s in place.”

City tables finance results

During the same meeting, the mayor filed the City of Deux-Montagnes’ consolidated annual financial statements for the period up to December 31, 2018. The clear highlight of the report was a 52 per cent reduction in net debt in just four years.

In 2014, Deux-Montagnes had a consolidated net debt of $44.5 million. City debt now stands at $21.3 million, a reduction of $23.2 million. The mayor said the reduction in the debt load reflects sound management of public funds under the city’s administration.

Discipline led to results

“Our financial results demonstrate a great deal of discipline on the part of elected municipal officials and of course municipal managers,” said Mayor Martin. “They are the result of continued efforts aligned with our debt management guidelines. We’re extremely proud of the responsible approach taken by the management team we have in place.”

Accordin to the financial statements, the city ended 2018 with an operating surplus of $2.5 million, a sum that represents 9 per cent of the original budget. The mayor said the improved performance was due to an increase in revenues of more than $1.3 million and a decrease of $1.2 million in expenses and other tax items.

How surplus will be spent

The city says that part of the operating surplus will be used to build a permanent dike along the waterfront, and a noise-reduction wall along Highway 640. As for the $3.5 million investments made in 2018, $2.6 million has been allocated to urban infrastructure (sewer and water systems).

The mayor said the financial results indicate that the City of Deux-Montagnes is in good financial health. He said the achievements in the 2018 budget were made possible through a “shared vision” in conjunction with the productive efforts of city council members.

In recalling the role city managers played in achieving the organizational and financial objectives, Mayor Martin said, “The commitment of all the stakeholders involved helps to make Deux-Montagnes a city where life is good and where people thrive.”

(NSN) At a press conference last week, officials from the Town of Rosemère officially announced the names of the seven streets that have been selected to participate in the pilot project ‘Come and Play in the Street!’

“The Come and Play in the Street pilot project has really got people engaged,” said Rosemère Mayor Eric Westram. “I’ve been thrilled to see how enthusiastic residents are about this initiative. More than 25 streets were nominated. Naturally, our choice was based on which ones would be the safest for our kids.”

The selected streets are Edgewood (between Dufferin and Woodlawn), Mélèzes, York (between Oriole and Tylee), Avalon (between Armstrong and Académie), Hardy, Béland and Montview. It had previously been agreed that one street would be chosen per sector.

Two streets chosen

However, in the end, the town decided to accept two streets from Sector 2, since it is quite large and intersected by Labelle Boulevard. The signage for the seven streets will be posted by July 2. Drivers on these streets will be required to follow a special set of rules, in effect until September, including a 15 km/h suggested speed limit.The goal of the Come and Play in the Street! project is to coax young people away from their computer and handheld device screens and encourage them to build relationships with other kids in the neighbourhood. Nominations opened April 16 and closed May 15. If the pilot project is a success, more streets may be added next year.

(NSN) The 33^rd annual Rosemère en santé foot race attracted more than 1,200 running enthusiasts on a very sunny Sunday June 9.

“The main goal of this family-friendly event is to draw attention to the benefits of physical fitness, but it is also a much-anticipated annual race for amateur and experienced runners alike,” said Mayor Eric Westram, who ran in the 3K event.

Town promotes health

“The use of electronic time chips means that the 5K and 10K routes are officially recognized by the Fédération québécoise d’athlétisme,” he added.

“I’m a great believer in an active lifestyle, so I appreciate initiatives designed to promote and improve residents’ health. We should see Rosemère not only as a proud, green and prosperous town, but also as the living embodiment of an active and healthy community.”

Tradition for 33 years

Since 1986, Rosemère en santé has brought 1K, 3K, 5K and 10K challenges to the streets of Rosemère.

Participants can also take advantage of the opportunity to obtain health-related advice from the knowledgeable specialists available on site. Officials of the town extended their sincere thanks to all of the volunteers who were instrumental in making the event a success.