Coucil Meeting Agenda and Resolutions
Dear Citizens,
City council is proud to announce that the agenda and all resolutions are now available on our website. This was an election promise, and we did not take long to realize it. Since we were elected, some have pushed the transparency to such extremes that even confidential letters, working papers and correspondence subject to the Protection of Privacy laws are sent to the media! Obviously, it is illegal to disclose documents subject to the Protection of Privacy laws, and I can assure you that council will never adopt illegal practices.
Last Monday, I sent a letter to the administration department to be translated for presentation to Council for approval, all of which before sending it to the media. Not only have I not seen the translation, but the letter was not presented to Council and the administration sent it to the media without authorization from Council. Again, another document that leaves City Hall without proper authorization! Upon finding out about the publication, I immediately called every council member, except Mr. Michel Thivierge as he is on holiday, to inform them of the situation.
I support transparency, but certain procedures must be followed before making certain disclosures. In the circumstances, I shall request a full report about the existing procedures for disclosure of documents, why and how the current existing gaps, and a request for a proposal of procedures for the future disclosure of all information to be reported to the public.
I can assure you, on my behalf and on behalf of Council that we want unmatched transparency, but not to exceed the limits of legality!
Sincerely,
Marcel Guibord
Mayor
Clarence-Rockland Mayor Elect Marcel Guibord informs that he has sold all interests in LLG Development Inc.
In order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest, and to demonstrate to his constituents that he values nothing less than absolute integrity and transparency Marcel Guibord announces today that he has sold all the shares he held in LLG Development Inc, before he takes office as the new mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland on the 1st of December 2010.
During the last municipal election campaign in Clarence-Rockland, some people stated or inferred that his interest in becoming mayor were linked to his financial interests as a minority stakeholder in a piece of land that belonged to LLG Development Inc.
Selling all my shares in the company clearly demonstrate to the population that my only interest in becoming mayor was and remains, the well being of our community and its citizens, added Marcel Guibord Mayor Elect.
Swearing-in Ceremony
Marcel Guibord, Mayor-Elect, is proud to announce that the swearing-in of the new Council will be at the community hall on the 2nd floor of the Clarence Creek Arena, on Wed, December 1st 2010, at 7:00 pm and all interested citizens are invited to have coffee, tea and donuts with members of council. The choice of Clarence Creek lies in the fact that it geographically in the center of the municipality, and should be easier to reach for all those who wish to attend. In addition, the building has an elevator, and the room is handicapped accessible. As of 6:30 pm, there will be a cash bar operated by the Knights of Columbus.
During the previous swearing-in ceremony, the City of Clarence-Rockland hosted a wine and cheese restricted only to a select group of friends of members of council. Marcel Guibord wishes immediately to demonstrate his desire to be transparent and accessible by hosting a swearing-in ceremony open to all taxpayers.
Thank You!
I want to express the profound gratitude I feel towards all of the citizens who have, courageously voted for me to be their mayor. By voting for me you have clearly demonstrated that you want Clarence-Rockland to become a city that serves its citizens.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank my team of volunteers, thank you for believing in me, thank you for your commitment and let me conclude by saying that our victory would not have been possible without your outstanding contribution.
Thank you,
Marcel Guibord
Notice to Media
This is to inform you that the mayoral candidate Marcel Guibord will host his friends and supporters at the Knight’s of Colombus Hall, located at 945 Giroux Street in Rockland, from 7:00pm to midnight on the 25th of October. Marcel also extends the invitation to the media to come and share with him the election results.
Letter to the Director of Elections
Please find enclosed a letter prepared and given personally to the Director of Elections, Mrs Monique Ouellet. In this letter, the scrutator, Michel Bachand, shares his concerns with regards to the letters to electors containing their identification number and passwords who did not reach them (wrong address, death) and were returned to City Hall. According to our estimates, there are hundreds of these identification numbers and passwords who should be cancelled and consequently the electoral list should be updated prior the start of the vote tomorrow.
The Director of Elections advised she would not give details as to the numbers of letters which were returned and will not reply to our letter before October 25th, after the elections. To have hundreds of these letters containing the access codes kept at City Hall without scrutators` supervision can be a threat to the democratic process and to the good conduct of the election.
All Candidates Meeting - Speech October 13th
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, citizen of Clarence-Rockland. My name is Marcel Guibord and I am a candidate for mayor.
First, I would like to thank Mrs. Carmelle Gareau and the president of tonight’s meeting Mr. Denis B. Vaillancourt for organizing this event.
Before I start, I want to acknowledge the presence of my mother and father who are here tonight to support me, they are 84 and 91 respectively.
Open Letter
The way a candidate runs his campaign for office is often indicative of the way he will behave once elected. Since the start of this campaign in Clarence-Rockland, I have paid particular attention to maintaining a high degree of civility when dealing with all the candidates. Furthermore, I want to keep the discussions at a professional level. The Office of the Mayor, as well as the citizens of the City of Clarence-Rockland, deserve nothing less.
I find it regrettable that one of the candidates for mayor made unfounded public allegations about my past and present business dealings. Unfortunately, I must now set the record straight, and I will not address these issues in the future.
Marcel Guibord reveals his platform on communications, the environment, agri-food, commercial recycling and the maintenance of roads
Today before dozens of supporters, Marcel Guibord announced several new items that are part of his electoral platform, and that help define his vision for the City of Clarence-Rockland.
In order to strengthen the two main pillars of his campaign which are change and transparency, Marcel explains his media policy:
Over and above the fact that he will welcome interactions with the media, Marcel Guibord added...
"I will repeal the current policy that prevents municipal employees to speak to the media and I will replace it by one that will make every employee a potential spokesperson in their field of competence and direct responsibility. Furthermore, in the first few council meetings I will make available for all, the agenda of the meeting as well as documents that are related to matters being discussed at the meeting, with the exception of discussions that will be held “in-camera".
Marcel also pledges to make available all documents that are of interest to citizens without having them go through “Access to Information”, unless it is prescribed by law.
"I will welcome criticism, because when it is received by someone with an open mind, it is often beneficial" Marcel added.
With respect to the local agri-food industry Marcel continues to want change; “I want to work together with local food producers and farmers to create a fresh food market somewhere in the City of Clarence-Rockland; this way farmers and food producers will be able to sell their goods where they are produced. Citizens of the area will thus benefit from fresh, locally produced products while supporting our food producers”.
Marcel Guibord added that... “While the current domestic recycling policy for the residential sectors is doing fine, we are lacking when it comes to commercial recycling. I will take a fresh look at the current situation and make the appropriate changes. With a more flexible policy, and a revised cost to commercial waste producers, we will get there’’ Marcel added.
While on the campaign trail, Marcel is being asked about his vision for the upkeep and maintenance of roadways. With more than 40 years of experience in municipal infrastructures, Marcel explains how he will proceed: ‘’With respect to unpaved rural roadways I will establish a maintenance program that will ensure better and smoother roadways for all. Dealing with the paved roadways that are in disrepair, I will use a computer software program specially designed for such use, and will establish a list of priority for roads that will be repaired first, bearing in mind not only the pavement but most importantly the infrastructure below. This priority list will create a just and equitable system that will prevent the current ‘squeaky wheel’ syndrome.
Third Annual Green Gala!
On Saturday September 18th the Third Annual Green Gala was an important fundraiser for educational programs on the environment and sustainability. While touring the historic house, guests in vintage cocktail attire are invited to bid on interesting ecological items in both silent and live auctions.
Marcel Guibord met with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz
Mark Davies, Chair of the Turkey Farmers of Canada visited the Rockland Help Centre on September 27th, 2010 in order to present a donation of Canadian turkeys to Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada. This is in the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Marcel Guibord attends the launch of the United-Way Campaign in Prescott-Russell
Rockland Ontario
September 17th 2010
This morning Marcel Guibord attended the launch of the United-Way Prescott-Russell Campaign which took place at the Potvin factory on Hwy 17 in Rockland. “The United Way is essential to the well-being of our citizens in need, and I want to wish the best to the campaign organizers, and I hope that they achieve and surpass their goals” added Marcel.
He also took the opportunity to shake hands with citizens and employees of the Potvin factory.
Press Release - Marcel Guibord and Larry O'Brien
Rockland Ontario
September 13th 2010
On Thursday September 9th, Marcel Guibord attended the “Mayor’s breakfast” in Ottawa, in the company of Mr. Larry O’Brien. Marcel took the opportunity to discuss the possible widening of Hwy 174/17. “We have discussed our positions in regards to this important project and have confirmed our intention of getting the discussion going on this file”.
Marcel was following up on a similar discussion he had on July 14 with Jim Watson, another candidate for Mayor in Ottawa. “We will be ready to pursue this important file should one of them be elected Mayor of Ottawa on October 25th“, concluded Marcel Guibord.
Marcel Guibord Officially Launches His Campaign
The team of Marcel Guibord hosted a reception in order to officially launch his election campaign. At the water's edge, with refreshments at will, a Corn on the cob, a tent and a band, Marcel Guibord took the floor to show his guests his unique experience in the municipal sector, especially in road repairs and underground infrastructure. His friend, the engineer Guy Félio and candidate in Ward 5 (Clarence Creek), was also present.
Guibord Meets Watson in Cumberland
Immediately after announcing his candidacy, Marcel Guibord participated in a meeting of the “PEO” (Professional Engineers of Ontario), held at Ottawa on June 16th with notable guests such as Senator MacHarb, the Federal Deputy Pierre Poilièvre, the Provincial Deputy Phil McNeely and the Municipal Counsellor of Ottawa, Marianne Wilkinson.