ACTUAL I TÉ • NEWS
Good-bye ecoLarose project
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
their own budgetary demands. «I think it’s a great idea,» said Mayor Jeanne Charlebois of Hawkesbury. Mayor Guy Desjardins of Clarence-Rocklandmade no supporting comments for ecoLarose. Champlain Township Mayor Gary Bar- ton also supported the recommendation to cancel the project and redistribute the $4 million among the municipalities. «I have roads I cannot keep up with,» he said, while also noting that UCPR staff deserve credit for good work on researching the project and trying to find supporting investors. The NationMayor François St-Amour was one of the few voices supporting ecoLarose. He wanted it noted for the record that the project, located inThe Nation portion of the Larose community forest, would have provi- ded future benefits for all of Prescott-Russell. Counties administration will prepare a formal resolution on the ecoLarose matter for council to vote on during its next regular session.
It’s official. The ecoLarose project is now a no-go for the counties. The United Counties of Prescott-Russell council (UCPR) has decided to pull the plug on the ecoLarose project. Counties council voted during its May 13 committee of the whole session to cancel the proposed conference and environmental interpreta- tion centre project and redirect the UCPR’s investment in the project to help member municipalities with their own budget needs. «I think it’s time we cut to the chase,» said Stéphane Parisien, UCPR chief administra- tor, during an update report on the status of the ecoLarose project. «Does it stay alive or do we can it today? I’masking the (council) members today, let’s make a decision.» The UCPR’s economic development department, under then-director Sylvain Charlebois, began research on the ecoLarose project as part of a long-term strategic eco- nomic development plan for the counties. The UCPR had dedicated $4 million out of its working fund reserve as its share of the estimated $12 million cost to develop the centre and then sent inquiries out to both the federal and provincial governments to see if they wanted to partner on the project as a regional development initiative. The counties would also remain open to private sector investment too.
The Larose Forest site for the proposed ecoLarose centre project saw some preliminary tree-cutting and ground-clearing of pathways in anticipation of future construction. Now it may all end up left for Nature to reclaim as the counties council cancels the project.
While both the federal and provincial government expressed support for the pro- ject through the MP andMPP offices, there were no corresponding signs of financial backing. During his update report, Parisien also asked for suggestions onwhat to do with the $4million the UCPR set aside as its own «good faith» investment share for the project. «I think we should be canning ecoLa- rose,» said Mayor Pierre Leroux of Russell Township, adding that the $4 million could be shared out amongmember municipalities
of the UCPR who need help with some of
May Day fire call Clarence-Rockland firefighters had a rush call on the Victoria Day weekend. The Rockland station received a report around noon-hour about a house fire on Sandra Crescent on Monday. No one was home at the time. Fire Chief Pierre Sabourin reported firefighters were able to perform «a quick knockdown» and get the fire under control fast. He noted that the kitchen interior still suffered «major fire damage» and there was smoke and water damage to other parts of the house. Total estimate of the damage is about $300,000. Fire crews remained on the scene until 2:30 p.m. to do mop up and survey the site for anything smouldering. One truck and crew remained on site for another hour to monitor the premises before going back to the station. – Gregg Chamberlain
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