North Hatley has always inspired in its residents, property owners, and neighbours a love of “place” – which is why we, and our ancestors, have chosen to live here. Over the years this love has found expression in many forms – gifts of land to the town, active engagement in its ‘improvement’, voluntary participation in the institutions that bind us together.
Unfortunately, at the present time, under the present administration, there seems to be no appreciation of what has traditionally made North Hatley a community; more than that, there seems to be a desire to erase and eliminate these ‘particularities’ of ‘place’ – particularities that point to what brings us together and leads to involvement in the affairs of the village, to what makes the village what it is, or at least, to what it has been.
The public land in the town is under siege – with the envisaged authorization of the use of the public beach by a private enterprise, but also the discussion of accepting commercial encroachments on public parks. Why not fill the ballpark with condos? Will these things come to pass? The residents and property owners of North Hatley don’t and can’t really know for certain, since we are not consulted, or kept informed, and our questions remain largely unanswered. But that these possibilities have even been and are being mooted shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the importance of public spaces for those who live in North Hatley.
These suggestions constitute attacks on what is essential to North Hatley, on what makes this village a space for all to enjoy, an attack on the public – rather than private – use of these lands: the ballpark, Dreamland Park, Memorial Park, the Pavillon and public beach – lands whose purpose has always been clearly understood (a purpose expressed in the deeds of the lands that were given, deeds agreed to by the mayors and councils of the moment). Understood, it would seem, until now.
Why, then, under the influence of those who do not live in this town and whose only connection to it is the temporary one of employment, should we give up on what has made the village what it is? Why the lack of leadership on the part of the mayor and the councillors on this question?
The councillors and mayor are either unaware of this potential loss of public space and of the attempt to discourage public involvement in village life or are too blithely willing to accord these no importance. As in the case of the latest development in the ongoing battle between the volunteers associated with the North Hatley Recreation Society (NHRS), and municipal officials and the town council, which has led to the bullied withdrawal of volunteers – from North Hatley but also from surrounding towns – from this long-standing and vital institution. The town sets non-negotiable conditions, telling the volunteers: either agree to our demands, or leave.
Bullies want their way and, when they think they have power, when we allow them to think they have power, they get it. Unless – and this is very important for all of us at this point in time – unless we, the residents and property owners of North Hatley, as well as those of neighbouring towns, show support for our volunteers and insist on the respect of those who have, for many years, given of their time, energy, and land, for the benefit of us all.
Let it be known that municipal officials should not be dictating to the volunteers of the NHRS; let it be known that we do not accept the privatization of public spaces; let’s stand up and be counted as people who want the ‘community’ of North Hatley to continue to exist!
That is needed now, since we, those who love this village, those who contribute to and are involved in the institutions of this village, are presently under siege.
Paul St-Pierre
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Dear Pierre,
I broadly agree with you, but I find the tone and wording of your editorial inflammatory and confrontational, which, in my view serves no one’s purpose in this case. Just an observation.
I’d like to know some specifics. What is being proposed for public lands? What conditions have been placed on NHRS volunteers?
Do the Elected Representatives of North Hatley have a Plan?
The current administration is fighting like a devil in holy water to find a solution to its finances, but its approach smells of improvisation.
Many well-intentioned citizens, respectful of the village of North Hatley, of its unique character and of its particularities, have offered help and ideas. Of note is the fact that many North Hatley residents have exceptional professional careers.
There have been meetings (among others with the Mayor) to discuss these issues. The Mayor has indicated with much enthusiasm that Counsel has a plan. All attempts to see this plan have gone unheeded.
Doubt will soon turn into certitude that such a plan does not exist. Taking over a system that has been efficiently run for years by volunteers from the community, authorizing the use of a public beach by a private enterprise or installing commercial establishments in public parks are certainly not initiatives that reassure us.
The Mayor and his administration must never forget that their mission is to represent the citizens in the day to day management of the village. In any case, it does not give them free reign to transform the village as they see fit. Respect for the Village of North Hatley (renowned as one of the most beautiful villages of Quebec) must be at the heart of each decision that they make.
It is time for the village to grab the hand that is offered rather than turning its back on it.
Jane Meagher and Jean Vanaise
I moved from North Hatley in 2015 to Victoriaville. Victoriaville is a town with a strong vision for its residents. It is a town that invests in the health of its citizens. There is an active totally locally movement here, there are many spaces along the Nicolet River to walk, bike and run. Citizens are consulted and informed about new projects that have to do with protecting the environment and lessening our collective carbon footprint. When people think of Victoriaville, they think of artists, the cégep, organic agriculture, the peace festival. You get the idea.
What do we think of when we say North Hatley? Lake Massawippi. High taxes.
To me the issue is as much one of style, tone and transparency as it is with substance, although the substance is hardly trivial.
The notion that the village, with its Council, mayor and direction could not find its way to work with the long-standing nhrs to secure common ground on Village summer Recreation is astonishing.
The Village seems to react to any debate its intentions by closing off debate, circling the wagons and high-handed unilateralism but effectively tells is citizens to sit down and keep quiet.
This is no way to run a democracy, especially in a small community like North Hatley. At no cost to the Village for their exceptional volunteer services, the NHRS has served the community exceedingly well for decades.
Now that the NHRS has been handed, in effect, and imperious ultimatum, neither the Village nor its long-standing sense of volunteerism is decently served.
Sorry about the typos — or is it Type Ohs?