Looking back at 2007

January also marked the departure of Acadie MNA Yvan Bordeleau, who retired from politics after two decades of public service.

At the end of February, a man in his 40’s died of asphyxiation when a fire started in a 40-apartment housing complex on Grenet Street. The blaze started when an unattended cigarette ignited a mattress. Luckily, the fire did not spread, and most of the building’s inhabitants were able to return to their homes the next day.

March was also home to provincial elections, and even though both the Liberals and the Parti Quebecois saw support erode across the province in favour of the ADQ, local ridings remained firmly in Liberal hands. St. Laurent MNA Jacques Dupuis and new Acadie MNA Christine St. Pierre (an ex-reporter) were both named to cabinet, with Dupuis getting the Justice and Public Security portfolio and St. Pierre assuming responsibility for the Culture, Communications and Women’s Issues portfolio.

At the end of the month, other young athletes would bring glory to the borough in the Jeux de Montreal badminton, diving, soccer, wrestling, table tennis and gymnastics events. The borough’s hockey and water-polo teams also stood out, as did the borough’s archers, weightlifters and speed skaters. The games were held from March 28 through April 1.

The 17th edition of the Festival des musiques et du monde, which brings together music from five continents, was held April 22 to 28 at la Maison de la Culture . The organizing group, Musique Multi-Montreal, declared the event a success.

Spring also marked the return of concerns over the soil quality in local community gardens. After the closure of one such garden in summer 2006, tests were run in gardens across the Island of Montreal, and results revealed three months later showed that each of the borough’s gardens is in great health.

More greening, as the neighbourhood's first 'green business' was recognized by the eco-quartier l’Acadie which delivers certifications to small businesses who take steps to become increasingly environment-friendly. Currently, four local businesses have been given the certification, and one more is yet to follow.

The revitalization plan for the Laurentien/Grenet neighbourhood was also unveiled at the end of June. Set out by community partners and politicians, merchants and police, the plan was laid out in four steps: daily life, community services, neighbourhood life, with the economy and employment, and followed up with improved communications with citizens. The first actions were undertaken four months later.

Another hot topic of conversation took a step forward in the month of July, and this time it was the planned 65-unit residential development on the former Caisse Populaire Saint-Joseph-Bordeaux. The size and scope of the project spooked some locals, who worried about their neighbourhood losing its distinct character. After the first project was cancelled, residents are waiting on a new proposition for the Viel and Bois-de-Boulogne now vacant lot.

Sports fever also hit closer to home, as Bordeaux-Cartierville athletes competed in the ‘Jeux de la rue,’ held Aug. 17. Competitors took to the pitch in cricket, soccer, basketball and hockey, and the CB Bowlers from Bordeaux-Cartierville emerged as champions in the cricket competition.

The Festiblues festival rocked the worlds of local residents for four days in August. Held at Ahuntsic Park from Aug. 9 to 12, the event attracted 84,000 spectators to see such acts as Nanette Workman, Éric Lapointe, Bob Walsh, France d’Amour, Florent Vollant et Martin Deschamps, among others. There was also a new attraction this time around: The ‘Zone occupée,’ which allowed teens to express themselves and check out cutting-edge acts in an area all their own.

From their frustration was born the Ahuntsic-Cartierville Citizens Association, which aimed to go past political allegiances and be the ‘watchdogs of democracy’ in the borough. In the months since, association members met Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay to denounce what they saw as a betrayal by Beaudoin, also a member of the mayor’s Union Montreal party. Today the association has more than sixty members and continues to grow.

In the borough ‘s western border, another controversy arose when St. Laurent announced its intention to extend Cavendish Boulevard north to Toupin. Toupin Boulevard residents feared the added influx of cars onto the roadway would pose a danger to their children and quality of life. Those opposed to the extension banded together under the ‘Regroupement des résidants du secteur Toupin’ banner. A compromise was reached in November. Forced turns at the intersection will be installed to curb traffic headaches.

The same day as the seniors event, it was revealed that the private seniors' home Résidences Tournesol had forced some of the residents from their homes and into a public facility with intermediate care run by the CSSS. Giving the residents neither a reasonable amount of notice nor compensation, and was thus in violation the housing code. The borough's housing committee and the CSSS intervened and the situation was corrected. The 42 people affected were compensated and moved in new homes.

October also marked the arrival of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough's budget. No tax increases are on the horizon, and some fees at sports facilities will be cut. Money will be set aside for the future aquatic and recreation centre and for renovation of streets and parks. Something you don't see every day: the entire budget for the three-year plan will be spent in the first year of the plan.

October also saw the founding of the Cartierville Merchants' Association, which aims to stimulate economic and community life in the neighbourhood. In the vein of social implication, the members also said they would like to get involved in the Laurentien/Grenet revitalization project.

The owner of the Place l’Acadie and the Place Henri-Bourassa made the news again in November, as he ordered the condemnation of four of his buildings, in complete disregard for the Housing Code. Some tenants even had their heating cut off for a while. The local housing-committee, as well as partners in defense of the Places’ residents denounced the whole affair.

The snow-removal contracts got one administrator suspended while the contract process was being reviewed. The borough is investigating allegations of favouritism in the process. Following up on the recommendations laid out by the City of Montreal, three of the contracts were cancelled, as threats of lawsuits continue to fly back and forth.

Hiring practices also came under the microscope, when the official opposition and public opinion leaders questioned the mayor on why she pushed her administration to fire longtime public employees and replace them with friends and former colleagues.

In the middle of the debate, the borough announced the beginning of a democracy project, which will aim to reform the way citizens are informed on borough matters, and out citizens at the heart of more decisions. The consultations on the project are expected to begin in the spring.

(Translated by Marc Lalonde)