EX-COUNCILLOR TAKES ON MAYOR
Leading up to the Nov. 5 elections, the West Island Gazette will run mayoral profiles from West Island communities. Kathryn Greenaway focuses on Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue.
Incumbent Mayor Paola Hawa has lived in the West Island for 28 years — the last 16 years in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. Her interest in politics began in her late teens when she regularly volunteered during provincial and federal elections. Hawa was elected District 6 councillor in 2009 and mayor in 2013. She plays a senior role in the Montreal Agglomeration Council’s Schema d’aménagement et développement and contract review commissions and is a member of Montreal’s Transport and Public Works Commission. Hawa is a lawyer and recently obtained her certificate for civil and commercial mediation from the Quebec Bar Association. She is married and has two children. Q Why are you the right person for the job?
A Experience matters. I have indepth knowledge of the major files and have established the relationships required at the agglomeration, provincial and federal levels of government to get things done.
I am proud that although we faced a possibly devastating financial loss in 2013, through hard work and focus we are now in the best financial position in our recent history with a projected surplus of $6 million (a 60 per cent increase).
With full public participation and transparency, we adopted a visionary Special Planning Program for the northern sector that respects the environment and our quality of life while ensuring long-term financial benefits to our town. We’ve revitalized our commercial district and brought in $14 million in new private and public sector investments. We have made much progress in the past four years — let’s keep going. Q If you are elected, what would be the first issue at city hall that you would tackle?
A The first order of business will be the 2018 budget. I would like to see a budget that contains reserves for long-term projects in order to reduce our reliance on future borrowing. Then we need to begin the urban-plan process for the undeveloped SteAnne Hospital land transferred to us, plus begin a marketing plan to attract businesses to the new industrial sector in the northern sector which will be situated near the future light-rail station.
We will also open discussions with the Quebec Transport Ministry about building a sound wall along Highway 20 and the construction of direct access from Highway 20 to the McGill University Macdonald Campus to relieve traffic congestion on our narrow residential streets. Q What is the biggest challenge your municipality is facing and how do you plan to address that challenge?
A It will be a challenge to ensure that the green-space protections detailed in the SPP are respected when development in the northern sector begins.
We must remain vigilant to safeguard our quality of life and the financial interests of our citizens. There must be discussions with the (light-rail and STM authorities) to ensure that all areas of our town will be adequately served by public transportation to access the light-rail train station.
Working with our local partners, we will continue to build our successful tourist initiative and we will work with our neighbouring off-island municipalities as well as John Abbott College, McGill and the transport ministry to find solutions to ease traffic congestion in the village area.
We were proactive in adopting an Emergency Plan in 2016, which we successfully put into action during the Spring 2017 floods, thereby reducing damage.
However, we must research and introduce new technologies. Sandbags are outdated and of limited benefit. With the realities of climate change, we can expect flooding to happen again and we must be ready. Q If you are elected mayor, what is your development vision for the new parcel of land which Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue obtained following the transfer of the Ste-Anne Hospital from federal to provincial jurisdiction?
A What began as a potential, devastating, annual financial loss of $2.8 million beginning in 2013, turned into a positive gain of $10.4 million in transfer payments, an additional $3.8 million in land transfer and an associated, annual saving of $3.4 million in payments to the agglomeration.
We completed the analysis of the economic potential for the land and identified that a mixeduse development would be the most financially advantageous.
The seniors demographic is growing. This, coupled with the fact that Ste-Anne Hospital is recognized as a centre of excellence in geriatric care, prompted us to begin discussions with the hospital authority to work together to create a development plan that will offer professional services, residences, small commercial establishments and parks targeting the needs of the growing senior population. Q What is your overall vision for Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue for the coming mandate?
A I want to see our town maintain its uniqueness and charm. I see a town that is prosperous, vibrant, forward thinking and innovative. I see a town rich in its natural environment, bordered by water and forest — where the quality of life is unparalleled. I see a town that, despite its modest size, is a leader — a town that captures our hearts.
Lucie LaRose (pictured on next page) served as councillor of District 6 from 2005 to 2009. Since moving to Ste-Anne-deBellevue in 1998, she has been an active community volunteer, at her children’s schools, for several sports associations and for various municipal activities.
She has served as vice-president of the Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue food bank, is the founder of Guid’Amies SAB and is a member of the Residents North Sector Association and the Table de concertation for Ste-Anne-deBellevue. She works as a credit manager for a local guitar manufacturer and is married with four grown children. Q Why are you the right person for the job?
A I will bring positive leadership to the table. With positive leadership, we can all respect each other and the citizens. I will open the lines of communication to better inform the residents. I possess the qualities needed to unite our partners, merchants and residents to build our future. Whether it be art and culture, sports or heritage activities, everything will be done with pride. I want people to know what we have to offer. Q If you are elected, what would be the first issue at city hall that you would tackle?
A There is not just one priority. People are very concerned about security issues. They don’t feel safe in their community. Many are worried about the $35.6-million lawsuit the town is facing. (The town has been sued by a trio of developers.) If elected, I will sit down with the developers, learn what their requirements are and see if there is a possible agreement which could be a winwin for both parties. The (transfer of hospital land) is also very important to look into immediately. If it is developed, will it make up for federal revenue lost when the hospital was transferred to provincial jurisdiction? Q What is the biggest challenge your municipality is facing and how do you plan to address that challenge?
A In the south sector, the biggest issues are lack of parking and empty storefronts on the main street. I would form a committee to look into these issues and work to find solutions. The development of Ste-Anne St. is one of many points in my platform. We need to inspire young professionals to gravitate to the centre of our town and support our businesses year-round and offer goods and services to our residents year-round. The north sector lacks reliable public transportation. We need the right people around the table to solve this issue. Too many families leave the neighbourhood because of this issue. Q If you are elected mayor, you will be involved in helping create a SPP for the new parcel of land obtained following the transfer of the Ste-Anne Hospital from federal to provincial jurisdiction. What is your development vision for that piece of land?
A I propose a senior home for autonomous and semi-autonomous seniors. It will be the perfect location because they will be close to services and can continue to be part of a community they helped build. Currently, seniors leave the community because we can’t accommodate them. Q What is your overall vision for Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue for the coming mandate?
A Community. Communication. Security. I will revive a sense of community. The residents deserve to be part of the decisionmaking process. Bringing back residents’ committees means they will be able to participate in the process of building our future. They have the right to be informed as much as possible about projects that will affect them. And residents want to live in a safe environment. I will make sure that this happens. I am a team player. I don’t pretend to have the one solution for everything. I believe we can achieve solutions by working together.