Marcelgauvreau.com
Open letter to Chelsea
Dear Chelsea,
My wife and I came to Chelsea five years ago because we had faith in your extraordinary community. We believed we could offer our young family the best schooling, the best in family values and the best that rural life could offer. This is exactly what we found in Chelsea. These elements are all defined by the people and families belonging to this community as well as the principles that are adhered to, by all of us.
We were anxious to join with you and become part of something we considered special. Once here, we were accepted with warmth and appreciation and were made to feel right at home. Families and individuals embraced us and accepted us as part of this privileged community. Since then we have developed lasting friendships and relationships that we will always cherish. It quickly became clear to us that we would be able to offer our children all that we had wished for. We are forever grateful to you for letting us share the endless advantages of Chelsea’s pleasant, quiet life.
We truly believe that if Chelsea is what it is today, it is because of you; the families and individuals that live here, because of your strong values, your commitment and your devotion to this municipality.
Now we would like to give something back to Chelsea.
With my wife’s loving support I’m running for office as councillor in Ward 2.
We pledge to devote ourselves to Chelsea as it continues to be one of the most envied municipalities in Western Québec. We will endeavour to protect Chelsea, its parks, its lakes and rivers against the ever threatening onslaught of uncontrolled and reckless urbanism. We will be attentive to your needs, welcome your suggestions and carefully voice your opinions at the council table; we will do all in our power to preserve what is best in our cherished rural life.
The reason we would do this is simple......
We believe in our community
On behalf of my wife Isabelle and our family, Mathis, Donatien, Rémy and Marie,
Thank you
Marcel Gauvreau
Managing debt
When we decide on a building project, we usually follow a logical course of action. Once in a while we run into a surprise or two and there are some minor complications but if we have planned and managed our project correctly we should finalise near, if not on target.
In the world of government projects, this is called fantasy.
A recurring question comes to mind; why should projects managed by our municipality run into so many problems and incur cost overruns that can range anywhere from 40% to 90 and even 100%. A direct result of these cost overruns is an increase in our debt load. We as tax payers cannot endure this situation.
Efficient management of these projects must be at the forefront of our municipalities’ priorities. With growing pressures in the maintenance of our infrastructures and the continued development of our services, not to mention the inevitability of provincial responsibilities being downloaded to municipalities, it becomes imperative for us to concentrate our efforts in the management and execution of the diverse projects that lay on the horizon. Without proper procedures and accountability to protect the public purse we will be faced with ever continuing cost overruns which will put an insurmountable financial burden on our community and our common debt.
We must take a step back and re-examine our municipalities operating procedures with regards to the planning, management and execution of these projects. We must endeavour to reduce the ever increasing pressures placed upon the public debt.
I will pressure our town hall to re-evaluate its effectives as well as its procedures and to implement changes that ensure projects are evaluated correctly, planned and executed efficiently and completed while respecting the original projections. This is common practice in the private sector...it can become common practice at the municipal level.
I will fight for the efficient management of our development.
I will fight for debt reduction.
Marcel Gauvreau and his family
Managing Taxes
It is unfortunate but we have all been conditioned to accept rising taxes and frivolous spending by all levels of government. Over breakfast, during a coffee break or at the local pub we have all discussed, fumed and laughed at government tax policies and less than thrifty spending practices. I think that it is high time that we turn the tide on these tendencies....it is time to look into why these methods remain unchecked.
I am a novice at political office with no municipal ties or affiliations. This leaves my hands free to ask questions, probe and examine municipal practices; I will undertake to protect our finances and reduce waste and mismanagement.
We must stop assuming that rising taxes are the unstoppable force of the incoming tide. We should treat rising taxes just as we would a leaking faucet; with a little maintenance and effort we may be able to stop the flow of red ink.
I will question budget considerations.
I will question spending practices.
I will fight rising taxes.
All I ask is that you vote for something different, something new.
