EDITORIAL

Mme Lacasse is staying!

Councillor Josée Lacasse’s decision not to step down and to fulfil her mandate is welcome news.  Triggering a by-election only a year before a general election would have been an insult to the voters, unless her circumstances were dire. Yet this decision alone is not enough.

The voters of Ward One, Old Aylmer, gambled on replacing a very active councillor, Stefan Psenak, with a relative newcomer, Ms Lacasse.

Aylmer expects our three – maybe four—councillors to work hard and to work together.  Aylmer often feels the odd man out in the larger city, and the letters pages of the Bulletin testify to a continuing frustration with the city’s apparent focus on other sectors.  This frustration comes in part from Aylmer’s linguistic history and is born from the remarks of some city officials, as well as the occasional unkind remark in the media about Aylmer’s strong anglophone population. The loss of Aylmer’s budgetary surplus, the transfer away of much of its modern equipment, and the general placement of investments give strength to these feelings – and to the need for a united group of councillors.

Ms Lacasse has not always played her part in these expectations.  Given her family’s wealth and influence, it is too easy to see her inaction and silence on many files as due to a lack of concern. However common, that remains a mistaken view. It is by her actions that we must judge her engagement.

She represents one of the most important and active wards in the whole city. The renovation of rue Principale has been impressive; the lack of action on the Parc des Cèdres and marina file is equally but negatively remarkable. We expect our sector’s gem, Parc des Cèdres, to be put at the top of the city’s list, not on its B list. We expect Mme Lacasse to stickhandle that file through her council and through the sometimes beligerant civil service to bring it to fruition – sooner, not later.

The growth within her ward has also been exceptional, but not without its confusion and controversy.  If Aylmer needs densification, and if densification means more condos and high-rises – contrary to popular expectations—isn’t it up to Mme Lacasse to take the ball and explain the situation, the options, and the ultimate goals to her constituents?

Likewise the library that seems to have sunk in importance in city hall. We expect our councillor to keep this project on track and in a way that enhances not only the sector but the lives of those here who use the library (the best-used library in the city).

A better mix of businesses on Principale (to keep visitors here and returning), questions of traffic circulation and speeding, and further phases in Old Aylmer’s blossoming should also be on her radar.  She has a key job!

Mme Lacasse is quite capable of rising to these challenges. We must all assist --- and assist in reminding her of Old Aylmer’s needs and next steps.