Bottausci ends Janiszewski’s 33-year run in elected office
Mayor-elect Alex Bottausci walking into city hall in Dollard-desOrmeaux signals the end an era. Ed Janiszewski served as mayor for 33 years — an eternity in politics — making him the longest running mayor in Quebec and one of the longest running mayors in Canada.
Following Sunday’s municipal elections, Bottausci spoke warmly of the 84-year-old former mayor.
“He should be proud and happy of what has been accomplished under his leadership,” Bottausci said. “I just want to build on the good.”
Dollard’s newly elected council is a mix of familiar and new faces. Bottausci sees that as a plus.
“I am a team builder,” Bottausci said. “I am sure council will see that working together is the best way to get things done and the new faces will come with new ideas.”
Bottausci has 12 years of experience as District 7 councillor and was born and raised in Dollard so he knows the town, but he took nothing for granted. Over the last eight months he went out into the community and knocked on over 8,000 doors to ask questions.
“I wanted to take the pulse of the community,” he said. “I want to build policy around what the community wants and needs. I want to show them that I listened.”
He campaigned on topics including his plan to expand on the sports landscape in Dollard. He plays sports and is keen on improving the way the city-run sports programs are offered. He said one way to do that would be to build a privately funded multi-sports complex.
Bottausci is also committed to attracting new business to the city and nurturing a thriving technopark. “We do that by making it clear to the business community what we want from them,” he said.
The contentious installation of above-ground Hydro-Québec lines along de Salaberry Blvd. has already been given the green light by the Quebec government, much to the furor of residents who live nearby. They want the lines sunk for esthetic, health and propertyvalue reasons. Bottausci would like to reopen discussions with HydroQuébec and the government on the issue. “I am sure Hydro-Québec would like to be considered socially responsible,” he said.
Traffic congestion on St-Jean and Sources Blvds. was a concern for the majority of people Bottausci spoke with over the course of the campaign. He said St-Jean Blvd. is being repaired next year and that options to improve traffic flow should be considered before work begins. One option would be to create a fourth, southbound lane. He said clear communication with neighbouring municipalities would be crucial when making any decisions of this nature. He also wants the city to take a closer look at traffic-sensor technology, which has reduced the traffic crunch by 25 per cent on a thoroughfare in San Diego.
Speeding is another problem Bottausci heard a lot about during the past months. He plans to hold a public consultation to talk about possible traffic-calming measures.