By Tracey Arial
www.thesuburban.com
Citizens living in Laval-ouest are still frustrated with the way Laval is dealing with flood zones.
So indicate comments by those planning to attend the Laval-ouest Citizens Committee meeting at the local Royal Canadian Legion branch Monday night.
“I’ll definitely be there,” wrote Sylvain Daoust on their blog after the meeting was announced. “There’s no rationale for what’s going on. The study backed us up 100 per cent and yet we’re still forced to fight for our rights.”
Recently, the group discovered that Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume was able to negotiate the removal of 2,000 homes from the official flood zone in that city. Labeaume also arranged for a two-year delay before the new flood zone regulations would be applied to allow for residents of that city to react to proposed changes.
Committee members want similar treatment in Laval.
“We have to do what the mayor of Quebec did to be heard,” wrote Christian Auger. “We have to speak loudly and clearly. A strong mobilization is necessary. Will you be ready?”
The Laval-ouest Citizens Committee (which operates in French) has positions on 15 other local issues too.
Politically, they’d like a single councillor to represent their neighbourhood, rather than having their riding split at Arthur-Sauvé.
Infrastructure and facilities are also big concerns. They want the water infrastructure improved, local roads to be repaired and the infrastructure modified to allow for more active transportation options. They’d also like an interior pool and a small theatre for local plays to be built in Laval-ouest.
They are concerned about heritage too, and would like development to honour the many converted summer homes in the area.
Environmentally, they want large trees protected. They also want their local municipal garage to become an eco-centre and allow for year-round hazardous waste disposal. Two new parks are needed too; one should be built next to the bridge and another should extend for 3 km along the waterfront.
The group isn’t just making noise. They’re also working hard to organize family activities in the neighbourhood and they support local community groups who work with seniors, immigrants and impoverished families.
For more information, visit their blog at www.cclo.ca.
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