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Jean-Marc Lalonde returns to political ring
“Oh, definitely. For the 2007 provincial election for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, I knocked at over 11000 doors. That’s a big area, 45 towns and villages in the riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. But here in Ward 1, I’m pretty sure this could be done pretty easily in a week.” He also dismissed any suggestion that he might be past his prime for politics now. “Even though some people might be say- ing I’m getting old, but 78 doesn’t bother me at all. I feel that I have the health and the energy and also the capacity to be a candi- date. Remember Hazel McCallion is 93 years of age, she’s still the mayor of Mississauga, pop of over 900,000 people. Even though I am at the present time running for Ward 1, I would be happy to help anyone within the municipality.” Lalonde also brushed off suggestions that he was “putting a target on his back” for lo- cal political opponents. “I don’t mind at all,” Lalonde said, smiling. “I could take it anytime. I feel that I have a clear record and it doesn’t bother me.”
he or she lives. “The only thing is, if you do run in another ward,” he said, “you’re not allowed to vote for yourself in there.” For now, after filing his nomination pa- pers and pulling together his campaign team, Lalonde will focus attention on his three priority election issues: the upgrad- ing and expansion of the County Road 17/ Highway 174 connector between Rockland and Orléans, renewed industrial and com- mercial development in Clarence-Rockland, and further enhancement of the Parc du Moulin heritage site for community use and marine tourism. “You can rest assured there are other pri- orities that will come (later),” he said. Since his retirement from provincial poli- tics, Lalonde has been involved in interna- tional relations work in La Francophonie for the Americas Group along with offering his expertise and political connections to lobbying efforts on local issues in Prescott- Russell. He believes that he will be able to continue to work for the Americas Group even as a full-time councillor for Clarence- Rockland. “I don’t see it bothering me at the present time,” he said. “I think I could handle it very easily. It would be to the advantage of the municipality.” Lalonde expects to begin his election- eering work as soon as he has his team as- sembled. He expressed delight at launching a door-knocking campaign, whether within
GREGGCHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
ROCKLAND | He’s stepping back into the political ring. For certain this time. Jean-Marc Lalonde announced on St. Val- entine’s Day his official candidacy for the Ward 1 council seat in this year’s October civic election. He told supporters during a press conference at the G.A.B.’s sports bar- and-bistro that he felt “called” to run for council once more after pondering the mat- ter for several months since last autumn. “Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day,” Lalonde said, regarding his choice of date for the an- nouncement. “We say in French, la journée des amoureux. My love, really, my family comes first and then the people of Clarence- Rockland have always been my loved ones.” Lalonde reaffirmed comments in previous media interviews since last autumn that if he decided to run for city council it would be as a councillor candidate. But he still did not rule out the possibility that he might make a run for the mayor’s chair in the end. “I prefer just saying at the present time that I’d be a candidate in Ward 1. But I have until Sept. 12, if I want to change a ward or go for another position on municipal coun- cil.” Lalonde explained that municipal elec- tion rules do allow a person to run as a can- didate in a ward other than the one where
Jean-Marc Lalonde regards one of his old campaign posters dating back to when he was mayor of the Town of Rockland. the confines of Ward 1 or in other parts of the city.
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