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.

Martin C. Barry

Nearly a half-dozen residents of des Vignobles Street in eastern Rosemère turned up at the town council meeting on June 10 to complain that their street is in riddled with numerous cracks and potholes which are not being fixed despite repeated patchings taking place year after year.

Street repairs needed

“The paving on this street between Roland Durand and Champagne dates from more than 30 years ago,” Élaine Sanche, who spoke on behalf of the group, said during the public question period.

“Can you explain to me why work is still not done when it was part of the five-year plan adopted by the previous mayoralty. What we want to know is when you plan to complete those works. It’s very dangerous for children, for senior citizens, in fact for all residents who get around on foot.”

She said the problem is particularly bad near a park. “We see a problem. We are therefore expecting a solution from you before somebody gets hurt. It’s several times that this has been brought up, and that is why we are here tonight because we really would like to something done about it.”

Hardly the exception

Councillor René Villeneuve responded that “unfortunately it’s not the only street like that. There are a lot of streets that are presently in a bad state.” In addition to the pavement problems, the group’s spokesperson said des Vignobles has over the years also become very busy with traffic because of its proximity to Autoroute 640 and it is also used by drivers coming and going from the Externat Sacré-Cœur.

“It is interesting to see that despite a 30 km/h sign and police surveillance, very few residents respect the posted speed limit,” she continued. “We would like to know what the town can do to deal with the problem. The thing would be not to wait before reacting. We have numerous young families who’ve arrived recently and who would like serenity and security for their children, which is not the case now.”

No work this year, says mayor

Having received the group’s questions in writing before the council meeting, Mayor Eric Westram said this gave him time to check whether des Vignobles St. was listed for work this year. “In all honesty, that particular work was not scheduled for this year,” said Westram.

“What we will do, on the other hand, is to re-evaluate the situation. And if we arrive at the same conclusion as you and there’s no doubt at all about what you’re suggesting, we will see about the possibility of exchanging one project for another. But what’s certain is that yours isn’t listed in the PTI (triennial infrastructure plan) this year.”

Have you checked the latest water bill sent to your home by the Town of Rosemère? At least two residents brought up the town’s water-billing methods during the regular council meeting, as well as during the more informal “plenary” held 45 minutes earlier.

Unhappy with low water bills

What they noticed was that the water bills they received were for extraordinarily small sums – $1.62 in one case, nothing at all in another. They wondered why the town would bother sending out invoices for such small sums, when it might have made more sense to forward the sum onto a cumulative bill next year.

“The problem is that this week I received my water bill, and I would like to pay but I don’t owe you anything,” said Daniel Robinson of Skelton St. “What I don’t understand is why you spent money to send me a bill to say I don’t owe a cent.”

Westram admitted that the town should perhaps have sent notices with the bills, informing recipients that, based on Rosemère’s new water conservation policy, they had succeeded in limiting their water consumption. However, not everyone received a low water bill. One person at the council meeting reported her bill was for more than $900. She was told to check her plumbing for leaks as that was the most likely cause.

Wanted: an accurate flood map

Also during question period, Wendy Gurd asked the mayor whether a chart is available to residents that shows areas of the town that are vulnerable to flooding. According to town manager Guy Benedetti, the most up-to-date map dates from 2005, although it is currently under revision.

“The new chart is not available,” said Mayor Westram, noting that since the catastrophic floods in 2017 and this year the provincial government has decided that any territory bordering the river is now considered a 0-100-year flood risk. “I think this is the first step until they arrive at a chart that is a true reflection of reality,” he added.

And finally, Normand Painchaud, who launched the Atelier d’Ébinisterie Communautaire de Rosemère last week at the public works yard, said that the workshop has done so well that it is now in a position to pay back a subsidy of several thousand dollars that the town had made to get the workshop started.

(NSN) The Town of Rosemère has announced the names of the young Rosemerite winners of the comic book competition on preservation of the environment.

The winners

The talented comic strip artists are: Jade Poirier (14 years old), Lorik Roberge Sauvé (7 years old), Maxim Jacquet (12 years old), Nicolas Gagnon-Fee (16 years old) and Mathilde Lefevre / Juliette Schmaltz (10 years old).

In addition to having their work published in the Rosemère News, the winners receive a $50 gift card redeemable at Place Rosemère.

Great work, says mayor

“The comic strips we have selected are not only beautiful and lively, but they also convey an environmental message that raises readers’ awareness,” said Mayor Eric Westram.

“I am truly impressed by the quality of the comic strips that the Town has received and especially by the interest that young people have in preserving the environment. They are an example to follow.”

Now at the library

In order for all Rosemerites to be able to admire the works of the youngsters who entered the competition, all the comic strips received by the town are being exhibited at the municipal library from June 4-21.

The comic strip contest, launched last winter, was aimed at Rosemère residents under the age of 18 and designed to raise public awareness about environmental protection.

Martin C. Barry

The artistic creations of up to 65 artists from all over Quebec – including a good number from Rosemère –  graced the lawns next to Sainte-Françoise-Cabrini church on Grande Côte Road on June 1-2 during the Rosemère Artists Gathering’s second annual 2019 Rosemère en Arts Symposium.

While we now live in turbulent times when the weather can change completely overnight, the Symposium’s organizers got in at least one full day of sunshine on Saturday, although by Sunday rain threatened and it was a touch-and-go matter.

Music complements art

The Symposium opened on Friday evening with a VIP cocktail event. On Saturday, musical entertainment was provided by the jazz-oriented band “Ol Blue Eyes,” performing an homage to Frank Sinatra. On Sunday, there was more musical entertainment with the Duo Annie Gaudreau. Lead singer Roy was accompanied by pianist Stéphane Ménard.

To encourage this major biennial event, the Town of Rosemère provided financial support of $10,000, as well as the loan of equipment and personnel for the technical aspects of the event. The Symposium was fully managed by the Rosemère Artists Gathering (RAR).

Young collectors were also invited to visit La petite galerie, where they could purchase a signed canvas that they could take the time to choose for themselves.

Chance to win a painting

A silent auction was also held in the library’s atrium. Participants also had a chance to win a painting by the Symposium’s guest artist, Madone Simard.

As Rosemère, with its tall stands of trees and riverside views, is a particularly beautiful area of the Montreal region, it was apparent that many of the local artists drew inspiration from the beauty of the setting in their paintings and other artistic creations.

One of the Symposium’s special features was a collectively-created mural painted by children and adults under the supervision of noted Montreal muralist Sophie Stella Boivin.

Martin C. Barry

His name is Alexis Lafrenière and you may be hearing a lot more of it by this time next year when he’s turned 18 and becomes eligible for the National Hockey League’s annual player draft.

Seventeen year old Lafrenière, who started playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at age 15, was the honoured guest on June 1 at Denis Breton Chevrolet Buick GMC on Dubois St. in Saint-Eustache, where he signed autographs and talked with fans young and old.

Rookie of the Year

The 6’1”, 192 lb. Saint-Eustache native is currently one of the most promising stars in the QMJHL, playing centre for the Rimouski Océanic. Selected first overall by the Océanic in 2017, he was awarded the QMJHL’s Rookie of the Year award and was named to the First All-Star team in his first season.

Lafrenière also represented Canada internationally at the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships, the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. As captain of Team Canada’s junior team, Lafrenière led the squadron to a gold medal.

Goal-scoring record

In his rookie season with the Océanic, Lafrenière scored 42 goals, the most by a rookie since Sidney Crosby in 2004. He was also awarded the RDS Cup. At the age of 16, Lafrenière was the youngest player selected for Team Canada’s U18 team at the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Despite being the second youngest player on the roster, he captained Team Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He led the tournament with 11 points in five games, helping Canada win the gold. Lafrenière also won the Canadian Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player designation, which is particularly impressive since it involves the OHL, WHL and QMJHL.

Sure to be a high pick

“Next year is his draft year and so he will be a very high pick,” says Émilie Castonguay, an NHLPA-certified hockey agent who represents Lafrenière. “We’re hoping that he’ll have a great year. Hopefully he will participate in the World Junior Championship and have a great year with his team and we’ll see. We don’t want to put too much pressure on the first overall pick. But if he continues this way, then I wouldn’t be surprised that he would be picked.”

For his part, Lafrenière, who comes across off the ice as polite and gentlemanly, appears to be very focused on the year that lies ahead, without too much concern about the outcome. “It’s going pretty well right now and I just try to keep going and keep working hard,” he said in an interview with the North Shore News. “You dream about the draft since you’re really young. To be at your draft year is something exciting and I look forward to that.”

Making an impression

In the tight-knit world of Canadian junior hockey, news of Lafrenière’s talent on the ice has started to get around. In a sports news short last November by the Canadian Press, Rimouski Océanic head coach Serge Beausoleil was quoted suggesting that he sometimes feels a little bit humbled watching Lafrenière performing.

“He’s always two steps ahead when he plays and he sees a lot of things most hockey guys cannot see,” Beausoleil said. The wire service agreed that Lafrenière’s 2018-19 season was something that ordinarily would see him in NHL draft discussions already, except for his late birthday. But certainly, the similarities between Lafrenière and two other precocious hockey talents – Sydney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky – are undeniable.

(NSN) More than 150 persons, including elected officials, parents friends and community group leaders, paid homage to Thérèse-De Blainville Liberal MP Ramez Ayoub during an event held May 31 at the Chalet des citoyens in Bois-des-Filion to celebrate Ayoub’s 20 years of involvement in politics.

Many supporters

Among those who attended were Liberal MP for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Linda Lapointe, Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury, Brossard-Saint-Lambert Liberal MP Alexandra Mendès, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin Liberal MP Yves Robillard.

Also present were Lorraine mayor Jean Comtois, Bois-des-Filion mayor Gilles Blanchette and many municipal councillors. Former Bois-des-Filion mayor Paul Larocque gave a warm testimonial about Ayoub.

Trudeau sends a letter

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a letter in which he praised Ayoub for his dedication to public service.

Ramez Ayoub first became involved in public life as a baseball, hockey and soccer coach in the Town of Lorraine. At the same time, he was active in business, while president of the Chambre de commerce Bois-des-Filion/Lorraine in 1997 and 1998. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015.