Not being ignored
Despite councillor’s initial accusations, Ward 6 actually will fare out quite well when it comes to paving
As it turns out, when it comes to paving, Coun. Bob Doiron’s residents in Ward 6 aren’t being ignored as much as he said they were two months ago.
Doiron was critical of the city’s worst-first paving policy during the August public meeting of council, accusing the public works department of favouring certain wards for paving projects.
The debate got to the point where Mayor Clifford Lee called Doiron’s actions and conduct at the council meeting embarrassing.
Doiron defended himself, telling The Guardian in late August that when he did a count through the city, 35 roads had been paved, one of which was located in his ward.
Coun. Terry Bernard, chairman of the public works committee, Doiron’s ward actually fared out quite well although the work may not have been completed quite as quickly as it was supposed to have.
“Ward 6 is, this year, receiving the third highest amount of asphalt in the city,’’ Bernard said. “There’s seven wards getting less asphalt.’’
The city operates on a worst first asphalt policy which is supposed to mean the streets in the worst shape, regardless of where they are located, are done first.
But, the $2-plus million paving budget is only going to lay down so much asphalt.
Doiron said Monday he thinks the city could spread out things a bit better than it does.
“If every councillor was given a thousand metres to get streets done that would be fair,’’ Doiron said. “I’m all for the big main routes like University Avenue being paved.’’
Doiron added that what initially made him angry was that the streets in his ward were supposed to be done, according to the tender, by Aug. 15. His anger hit the boiling point when, on Aug. 11, six of the streets in his ward were not completed.
“My frustration is things are not done at the time they are supposed to be.’’
Bernard contends if the city split its paving budget evenly among the 10 wards, Doiron wouldn’t have as many streets paved in his ward as he does.
“The number of streets in his ward that were scheduled to be paved, you don’t do (some) of them and other councillors get roads in their wards paved that aren’t ready to be paved yet, which is the whole idea of going worst-first.’’