DISTRICT 7 EDITORIAL, SPRING 2000

We are at a very important cross roads in the history of our city and certain key issues must be addressed with initiative and vigor to insure our bright future. We know that our city is one of the most efficiently run municipalities in the MUC, with a lower than average tax rate, while providing a higher level of service than most. We therefore must continue to speak strongly against any merger, and your City Council will continue to be a leader in this area, until a final conclusion to this unpleasant debate is obtained in our favour.

As a further step in the advancement of our city, I have always supported the creation of a Recreational center, with a gym, indoor pool, meeting rooms for seniors and teens, and much more. I believe that now is the time to bring this final addition to our city, whereby we will be able to provide increased services to our community, in addition to the beautiful outdoor pool, arena and library that we now enjoy.

As a city that is surrounded by Railway track and yards, we are fortunate to be living in a time when new jurisprudence is showing that municipalities and individuals have the right to receive protection from environmental abuse. Historically the railway, being of a Federal Jurisdiction ruled freely and the courts were hesitant to interfere. However, today recent judgements show that individuals have a right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home and that changes to the environment, such as increased noise, or pollution will not be tolerated. Class actions have proven successful and we together with the residents of this city are in the process of accumulating the evidence necessary to proceed in this manner. As co-chair of the Railway Committee with Councillor Alan Levine, we invite any resident to provide us with evidence of the change in the situation around their home, such as testimony, video or photos that demonstrate an increase in noise or pollution during the period when they owned their homes. We also are looking into adopting by-laws that would restrict the manner in which the railway operates in our territory. We would like to see the speed of trains reduced aswell as the restriciton on the transport of chemical tanks through our city. Night time noise must also be eliminated. Naturally, we will only adopt those by-laws that we believe will be supported by any Judge that  would consider a contestation of the by-law by C.P.

In closing, I reaffirm my commitment to welcoming educational and religious institutions to our city, as I believe that these organizations bring life to our city and attract new members to chose Cote Saint Luc as their home.  Your input is vital and I have enjoyed hearing from so many of you over the years. I look forward to continuing our special relationship. Please call me any time at 939-9559 ext 202 or email me at brownstein@videotron.ca.

Please visit my website at www.brownsteinlaw.com/cotestluc.html

Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, District 7.