Express_2016_11_30

ACTUAL I TÉS • NEWS

Mayor Barton becomes the warden again

housing. Desjardins noted that independent living for seniors is both cheaper and better in the long run than seeing them end up hospitalized in long-term care facilities. “We brought this to the provincial govern- ment’s attention,” Desjardins said. “It’s ope- ning the light (of understanding) to them. It’s great savings for the government.” Desjardins noted that his successor will still have the future situation for Alfred Col- lege, and also the current argument with the City of Ottawa over ambulance call- outs to deal. Barton’s term of warden will also include the grassroots opposition to a proposed cement plant development for L’Orignal, and the legal wrangle, now, over the terms of the UCPR Official Plan which may or may not pave the way for a possible asphalt plant development in the Jessups Fall Escarpment area. “I will be supporting Barton during his time as warden,” Desjardins said, “just as he supported me.”

Lemaire du canton de Champlain, Gary Barton, aura un horaire beaucoup plus chargé l’an prochain. En effet, M. Barton a été choisi la semaine dernière pour succéder au maire de Clarence-Rockland, Guy Desjardins, en tant que président des Comtés unis de Prescott-Russell. M. Barton a aussi occupé le poste en 2006. —photo Gregg Chamberlain

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Road intersection inOrleans, and expanding the existing four-lane section to six lanes between Trim Road and the Innes Road interchange. Barton also noted that finding a solu- tion to the ambulance call problem that exists between the counties and the City of Ottawa will be another priority item for him as warden. The position of UCPR warden alternates each year between the mayors in Prescott County and the mayors in Russell County. Mayor Guy Desjardins of the City of Cla- rence-Rockland served as warden for 2016 and he is looking forward to handing the gavel over to Barton and enjoying a bit more free time on his own calendar. “It’s been a busy schedule,” Desjardins said during a break in theWednesday night council review session of the Clarence- Rockland 2017 preliminary budget report. “But I have been enjoying the time I’ve had as warden.” One major highlight of the past year for Warden Desjardins is seeing both the fede- ral and provincial governments reaffirm their support for upgrading the 174/17 link between Ottawa and Clarence-Rockland. “It’s a good achievement for me,” he said. Desjardins is also pleased with the results of the UCPR’s lobbying for more support fromQueen’s Park, for independent seniors living in the region. He and other mayors on counties council reviewed a provincial government letter confirming $3 million to support seniors’ assisted living, either in residential retirement manors or subsidized

Mayor Gary Bartonwill need a bigger desk calendar next year. Besides being mayor of Champlain Township, Barton will also assume the duties of warden of counties council as mayor Guy Desjardins steps down from the post. It will be the second time for Barton as warden for the United Counties of Pres- cott-Russell (UCPR). Champlain Township’s mayor served a year’s termas warden for the counties in 2006. Right now he is pondering what some of his priorities will be as warden when he assumes the chain of office during next month’s inaugural session of counties council. “I’ve been thinking about that,” Barton said, during an interview following the end of the Nov. 23 UCPR session. “Obviously we need to finish getting the Highway 174 (situation) straightened out.” Barton referred to the past review of the future state of the connection between the City of Ottawa and the UCPR. Highway 174 from Orleans East to where it intersects at Canaan Road with County Road 17, out of the Town of Rockland, has been the focus of attention for many years. Both the federal and provincial governments have agreed that the connection needs upgrading to relieve traffic congestion and improve commuter traffic between the two municipal regions. A recent environmental assessment report on the 174/17 recommended four- laning the route fromRockland to the Trim

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