The Municipality of Mansfield Responds to Citizen Feedback
The Municipality of Mansfield Responds to Citizen Feedback
The reactions and comments from the public concerning the arrival of a fourth gas station in the municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract have multiplied since the arrival of Groupe Filgo-Sonic which acquired the Beausoir convenience store located near the White Bridge. The mayor of Mansfield, Gilles Dionne, accompanied by the director general of the municipality, Éric Rochon, agreed to discuss the subject and give further explanations to CHIP 101.9.
“I also said to myself, let’s see that can’t be!”
– Gilles Dionne
Mansfield Mayor Gilles Dionne also said he had a negative reaction when he learned that a fourth company was planning to offer gasoline in the municipality of 2,285 people. On the other hand, Gilles Dionne insists that there are rules that must be followed by the municipalities. The Municipality of Mansfield hired a legal advisor and they discussed the matter at length with their municipal inspector.
“I reacted like the people. I couldn’t believe another company would come in and offer this type of service. We went to seek legal opinions and they all told us the same thing: we do not have the power to prevent a company from coming to compete ”, says Gilles Dionne.
“It’s not our jurisdiction and it’s not for a municipality to say who should be in business or not. Elsewhere, municipalities have taken legal action to prevent projects of this kind, they have sometimes had to pay legal fees exceeding $ 700,000 and they have lost their recourse ”, adds Éric Rochon. He also responded to people who accused him of not having an urban plan. “Like all municipalities in Quebec, we have an urban plan and people can consult it at the office“, explains Éric Rochon.
Some Internet users said they had concerns about the proximity of the gas station to the Coulonge River. In all likelihood, the Department of the Environment accepted the company’s plan. “You know, it’s a well-organized business that comes to establish itself here, they knew their obligations. They did their homework ”, believes Gilles Dionne.
Representatives of the Municipality of Mansfield have requested that citizens contact them before making certain claims. “I’m not going to start commenting on Facebook posts. Call me, I have always answered everyone ”, explains Mayor Dionne.
Gilles Dionne says he was hurt by certain accusations. “To say I accepted brown envelopes hurts me.” My integrity is being attacked and I am an honest person who works for the good of the community ”, said Gilles Dionne, visibly disturbed by the accusations of certain citizens.
“I want to apologize, I would have liked to give an explanation before that, but I wanted to have all the facts in hand”
– Gilles Dionne
The French interview with the mayor of Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Gilles Dionne and the director general of the municipality, Éric Rochon is available here.
