Steve Lussier to run for mayor
Introducing himself as “the next mayor of Sherbrooke,” local mortgage development manager Steve Lussier launched his campaign for the top job in town on Wednesday morning. Speaking in vague terms of having a “back-to-thebasics” plan for the city, the National Bank representative announced his intention to offer voters a third option on the ballot next to incumbent Mayor Bernard Sevigne and Sherbrooke Citoyen Party candidate Hélène Pigot this coming November.
“(The mayor) promised to do two terms once upon a time, he has done his two,” Lussier said as a part of his campaign announcement. “It is time to make room for someone younger with new ideas.”
The candidate was vague with regard to his actual plans for change, saying that his platform would be announced later on, but he stated that he feels public money is being mistreated in Sherbrooke and vowed to put the city back on track.
“I want to work with what we already have,” Lussier said, suggesting that the current mayor is too fond of spending money on development projects that fail to pan out. He accused Sévigny of “playing with public money” on projects like developing the airport and the Well Inc. entrepreneurial sector rather than investing in important infrastructure like roads.
“I’m not against airports,” the candidate clarified. “I’m just against spending money without a sense of what we get back.”
Asked about economic development, Lussier emphasized working on filling the city’s existing industrial park and said that he is committed to seeking that area developed to its fullest potential.
With regard to what made him want to run for mayor, Lussier said that he
Entrepreneurs of the Townships had the opportunity to flirt with success yesterday at the 11th annual Dobson-lagassé Speedcoaching session. Held at the Bishop’s University J-H Price Sports and Recreation Center, the event, a play on speed-dating, allowed entrepreneurs to mingle with and learn from their more experienced peers.
The goal of Speedcoaching, according to Dobson-lagassé Executive Director Barry Hull, is to connect local entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders in order to guide and help them with any questions they may have. Many mentors from different areas of expertise attend as volunteers.
“We benefitted from the counsel of other people and now we want to give back,” said Hull, explaining that the Dobson-lagassé Entrepreneur Center has only a small paid administrative staff, with all others being volunteers. This allows the advice given by the mentors to be objective. “We have nothing to gain except the success of our entrepreneurs,” he stated.
This year, Jean Provencher, owner of la Laiterie de Coaticook, was honorary president of the event. He was invited to speak to the crowd and answer questions about his business practices.
“I find it marvellous that there are mentors here to guide entrepreneurs through the business world, no matter their level,” commented Provencher.
The event was attended by dozens of members of the local business community. Over 40 mentors and experts were on site in kiosks where entrepreneurs could ask questions.
Six presentations were given by local professionals, offering tips on various aspects of entrepreneurship.
At the end of the event, a cocktail was served, giving attendees the opportunity to network and make connections. Entrepreneur Maude Brodeur, who was attending her first Speedcoaching session, underlined the usefulness of the event: “It’s an easy way to meet people who can help us solve any problems we may have.”
feels the citizens of Sherbrooke are not being heard right now.
“I would go to city council from time to time, not to ask questions, but to listen,” the candidate shared. “After a while I realized that things are not working. That’s when I decided to get involved.”
Lussier emphasized his position as an independent candidate for mayor, arguing that the existence of municipal political parties is making for a dysfunctional city council.
“We need to set parties aside right now and go back to everyone being independent,” the candidate said, adding that if elected he is committed to working with all other councillors fairly, regardless of political affiliations.