Warden Jane Toller uses her veto
Warden Jane Toller uses her veto
Has the resolution on the bio-park tabled by the mayor of Bristol, Brent Orr, on January 20, been adopted or not? The Warden of the MRC Pontiac, Jane Toller, clarified that she was exercising her right of veto regarding the resolution on the bio-park, in accordance with article 142 of the Municipal Code.
« Consequently, the resolution of January 20 is not effective. The question should be discussed again by the next regional council if the moment is deemed appropriate, ” explains Jane Toller.
The question, however simple, had not found a clear and definitive answer, since the mayor of Isle-aux-Allumettes, Winston Sunstrum, claimed to have listened to the meeting several times and that according to him, it was clear, the resolution had been adopted. CHIP 101.9 had published an article to this effect, reporting that the prefect had affirmed that the resolution would be discussed at the next meeting. Note that the mayors did not vote on this resolution, but several expressed their positions.
Mayor Sunstrum even insisted twice that the CHIP 101.9 newsroom change the version of the story, saying the resolution had indeed been passed. Instead, CHIP 101.9 invited Mayor Sunstrum to explain his position and therefore gave his version of the facts. Winston Sunstrum had explained his point of view to CHIP 101.9. However, several mayors still said that it had been decided that the resolution would be discussed later. CHIP 101.9 was waiting for a response from the MRC, until the Warden sent an email in which she said she was using her veto.
« As provided for in article 142 of the Quebec Municipal Code, I am advising, that I am using my veto in regards to the resolution concerning the Bio Park from the meeting of January 20th 2021. I look forward to further discussion of this agenda item at our Plenary meeting February 10th 2021 » a écrit Jane Toller .
At the MRC Pontiac, the communications department mentioned that the steps are underway to finalize the minutes of the meeting of January 20. Information about this resolution will appear in said minutes. It is also recalled that it is always possible to listen to the full proceedings from the audio recording available online on the MRC website.
A divided council
This episode clearly shows that there is a division between the elected officials of the MRC Pontiac. This division is made up of elected officials wanting the MRC to develop a bio-park at the regional industrial park located in Litchfield and others who say they are rather skeptical and want results, saying that the MRC Pontiac has put many financial resources in the project. The vote that led to a tie of 9 to 9, last November, had led to heated discussions. The Warden had decided to impose conditions on the consultant of the Pierre Vézina project, whose contract has not been renewed, as it stands, for 2021. The mayor of Litchfield, Colleen Larivière as well as the mayor of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, Winston Sunstrum, have increased the number of public outings in favor of the establishment of a bio-park and underlined the work carried out by the consultant Pierre Vézina.
A meeting on the subject of the forest industry should take place in the next few days. The Warden, Jane Toller, has already said she hopes this meeting can lead to a consensus.
