I am not a resident although I operate a stand at the Saturday Market and North Hatley is a village close to my heart. The idea that, in all situations, there is an opportunity for opposing sides to discuss appeals to me. If it can work in war-torn Colombia, there might even be a chance in North Hatley!

I would imagine a workshop including all interested players where we begin with everyone sharing what they love about North Hatley. That establishes common ground. Then we could move to what everyone hopes for North Hatley going forward, and why.

When visions emerge with differences or even clashes, there needs to be both “safe time and space” for positive exchanges to take place (rants, raised voices and ultimatums must be left at the entrance to the room) and a possibility to work towards consensus – which may involve an acceptable compromise for everyone involved.

If it is felt that things are at an impasse, it may be time for some mediation or conflict resolution exercises, and there are people with such expertise around North Hatley or in the Canton.

The opinions expressed on this website are those of their authors. Space on the website is provided as a service to the community and FANHCA, its administrators and host cannot be held responsible for any of the opinions expressed thereon.

11 mai 2017

Étant donné les inondations importantes actuellement à proximité de Montréal et dans l’ouest du Québec actuellement – l’Estrie n’ayant été épargnée cette fois que dû à une anomalie dans le jet stream – il n’est absolument pas logique que la MRC de Memphrémagog envisage d’approuver la construction de résidences et de commerces à North Hatley dans une zone inondable connue et bien identifiée.

Un représentant du ministère de l’Environnement a déclaré à maintes reprises qu’il est certain que la zone préconisée pour le développement va s’inonder – la question n’est pas de savoir s’il y aura inondation, mais à quelle fréquence et avec quelle sévérité. Pourquoi la possibilité de permettre la construction dans la zone inondable à North Hatley est-elle encore envisagée, en particulier dans les parties de la zone où les inondations seront les plus désastreuses, les parties ‘à grande vélocité’?

Nous ne devons plus faire les autruches; il faut comprendre ce qui se passe de plus en plus souvent, les risques que cela implique pour les résidents et les coûts énormes que cela représente pour tous les contribuables. Pourquoi augmenter ces risques et ces coûts inutilement? Il y a d’autres espaces à North Hatley qui peuvent être développés – construisons sur ceux-là.

Paul St-Pierre

11 May 2017

To the editor:

Given the severe flooding presently taking place near and around Montreal and in western Québec, with the Townships spared this time only through a quirk in the flow of the jet stream, it makes absolutely no sense for the MRC de Memphrémagog to be considering approving residential and commercial construction in a known, identified flood zone in North Hatley.

A representative of the Ministry of the Environment has repeatedly stated that it is certain the area in North Hatley under consideration for development will flood – the question is when, how often, how badly, and not if. Why then is the possibility of construction in this area still under consideration, in particular in the parts of the zone where the most severe flooding, with the highest velocity in the flow of water, will occur?

We need to take our heads out of the sand and understand what is happening more and more often, the risks involved, and the enormous expense for the public purse. Why knowingly increase these? There are other areas in North Hatley that can be developed – let’s stick to those.

Paul St-Pierre