Hawkesbury Councillor Jeanne Charlebois is running for Mayor of the town in the October 26 municipal election. Charlebois previously served as Mayor from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018.
“I have the experience. I have proven myself over and over again that I am a reliable politician and person,” Charlebois said in an interview with The Review on August 4.
Current Mayor Robert Lefebvre is not seeking re-election, and neither are Councillors André Chamaillard and Yves Paquette. Councillor Julie Séguin is running for Mayor. Charlebois said that means there could be four or five new council members following the election, and someone with experience and knowledge is needed to lead council and mentor new members.
Charlebois emphasized that for Hawkesbury Council, the past four years have been characterized by no infighting among council members, a renewed municipal administration, and no major lawsuits against the municipality.
During the past term, Hawkesbury Council has adopted a series of plans for municipal operations and capital projects. They include a new Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plan, and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. When asked if council has devoted more time to developing plans than implementing solutions, Charlebois defended the initiatives, saying they are essential in order to secure external funding for projects.
“If we want to apply for grants, we need these plans,” she said.
Charlebois emphasized that provincial and federal governments require these plans when municipalities apply for grants to fund projects.
Charlebois said she does not want to see the new council end what has been started. As an example, she referred to negotiations with Champlain Township about Hawkesbury annexing land near southeast corner of town for a new industrial park in return for Hawkesbury providing services to land in Champlain south of Highway 17.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to finish that one off,” she said.
Charlebois wants to address the shortage of affordable housing in Hawkesbury. The mayor is also the town’s representative on United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Council. Charlebois would like to work with the UCPR to convert the former Jean-Bosco School into apartments for senior citizens and for new, cooperative housing to be developed on the surrounding school property. Charlebois is frustrated that the school board continues to own the property, which remains disused except for as a warming centre for the homeless in winter. She would like the school property to be transferred to the UCPR for the housing project. Charlebois said cooperative housing has been developed in other places, and it is time for it to happen in Hawkesbury. She said the cooperative arrangement would finally make property ownership possible for many younger adults.
“Finally, they would have something to own,” Charlebois said.
She would also like to see the UCPR to decide on the future of the former Prescott and Russell Residence building as soon as it is vacant. She said that it also has potential as new housing.
In an effort to better include citizens in the decision-making process and to also ensure the public understands what is involved in that process, Charlebois would restore municipal committees if she is elected Mayor. She would like to establish a Roads Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Recreation Committee. The Roads and Recreation committees would each have two citizens as members with three council members. The Economic Development Committee would have a representative from business, a representative from industry, and three council members.
Charlebois believes establishing committees would show a more dedicated focus on critical municipal priorities and ensure greater transparency.
In addition to addressing the poor condition of the pavement on many streets, Charlebois would like to see speed bumps installed in certain neighbourhoods where speeding traffic is a problem. To better protect the safety of children, she wants a crossing guard added on Regent Street behind École Paul VI. In recreation, Charlebois would like to see a splash pad installed at Confederation Park.
Currently, citizens wishing to address Hawkesbury Council at a council meeting must appear as a delegation. Charlebois said she will change that if she is elected Mayor.
“I want to bring back the question period,” she said.
However, Charlebois cautioned there would be no tolerance for citizens using question period as a forum for baseless accusations or personal attacks.
The future of Hydro Hawkesbury has been questioned in recent months and even dating back during Charlebois’ last term as Mayor. She said more information about the status of the municipal electrical utility will be available in the weeks ahead.
In addition to two terms as Mayor and one as Councillor, Charlebois’ non-political activities in the community include serving as President of the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank, volunteering for Prescott and Russell Community Services, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, and as a member of the Hawkesbury Rotary Club.
