Vote of the century

Montague mayor urges residents to take part in plebiscite on amalgamation

It’s the biggest decision to face Montague residents throughout the town’s 100-year history.

And mayor Richard Collins is encouraging all of the town’s eligible voters to have their say on whether Montague should continue with the proposed Three Rivers amalgamation.

The proposal is for Montague to amalgamate with Brudenell, Cardigan, Lorne Valley, Lower Montague, Valleyfield and three unincorporated areas to make a new municipality.

“It’s the biggest decision Montague residents have ever had to make… it’s an extremely important issue,” said Collins, noting that the town will have 940 eligible voters.

“And everybody should be out to vote.”

The poll will be held at Montague Town Hall on Monday, Nov. 27, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Town council will hold a committee of council meeting as the polls close, with results expected shortly after.

Collins said the plebiscite will be straight-forward question asking “should the Town of Montague proceed with amalgamation with up to six other incorporated communities and the surrounding rural areas as proposed?”

Residents can check “no” if they want to keep the status quo or “yes” if they would like to amalgamate.

The plebiscite will need a turnout of 50 per cent plus one to become binding.

If it does not reach that threshold, the seven members of council will ultimately make the decision.

However, Collins is urging all residents to vote.

“This decision is too big for seven people to make. Personally, I was never elected mayor with a mandate to consider putting the town in this position. I was elected to govern the town as is the council,” he said. “It’s the people’s town, they should decide.”