Dear Fellow Citizens,

It has already been a year since our team first entered City Hall. The council and myself are still bursting with the same energy and determination that we had on the first day of this engagement, and we are striving to serve you to the best of our abilities.

In a time when municipal politics have been shaken by a number of investigations, our ways of doing things over this first year have proven to be effective. We regularly consult with our citizens and we are not afraid to reevaluate cases when it is necessary.

Our recent accomplishments and our desire to inform you at every important step of the project both demonstrate the level to which being attentive to the population is important for the Council. Incidentally, we always show up one hour before each regular municipal council session in order to discuss the subjects that are preoccupying you, and for which you desire concrete actions.

The signing of the collective agreement with the municipal employees has been one of the shining moments in the first year of our administration. I would like to pay tribute to the union representatives and to the various city sectors that had to work in good faith during the negotiations. We together are proof that it is possible to find solutions that are beneficial to everyone’s well being.

We are to prepare our second budget.It will be modest, honest and it will respect the financial capacity of all of our taxpayers. We are working with determination to offer you quality services that meet your needs, within a solid budget.

I salute the daily commitment of the municipal councilors, as well as the devotion of the full-time and part-time employees.

During this time of the year when families and friends gather, I wish you all great health, peace, joy and prosperity.

Happy New Year 2011

Sincerely,

Marie-Claude Nichols
Your Mayor