Express_2011_04_22

Integra to

We may not have seen the

reveal new

last of Jean-Marc Lalonde

gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca

name in May

R OCKLAND

“I’m gonna miss

newsroom@eap.on.ca

WhenPremierDaltonMcGuintyorany

P LANTAGENET

the people,

of his ministers visit Glengarry-Prescott-

Russell, they often joke that M.P.P.

Jean-Marc Lalonde is always, inside and

A year after changing its name, the

Integra is a popular name.

that’s for sure.”

outside of the legislature, lobbying for

ServicespourenfantsetadultesdePrescott-

A local social services agency will no

projects for his riding.

Russell has been forced to adopt a new

longer be able to use that moniker

If they thought he was a regular visitor

moniker.

because the title has already been

to their offices before, they better expect to

About a year ago, the organization

proposal for Hawkesbury and District

taken by another organization.

see him setting up camp at their doors for

unveiled its Integra pour enfants et adultes de

General Hospital is fixed in the minds of

the next six months as he tries to fulfill his

Prescott-Russell name.Theproblemwasthat,

provincial officials even after he is gone.

wish list of top priorities before retiring

unbeknownst to the agency, the name had

“Iwanttomakesureitisinthe(provincial)

from politics. And even then, they may not

alreadybeentakenbyanotherorganization.

10-year plan.”

have seen the last of Jean-Marc Lalonde.

Althoughallthenecessarystepshadbeen

Alfred-

A new nursing home development for

“I really don’t intend to stop working

taken, a title search did not reveal the

Rockland is also one of the top items on his

completely with municipalities,” Lalonde

existence of an Integra children’s services

priority list.

said during a phone interview April 12.

agency, relates Services pour enfants et

Plantagenet

“I’mnotlosingtrackofthatone,”hesaid.

“We gotta get our fair share.”

adultes director Raymond Lemay.

“I want it before I leave.”

The MPP was joking a bit, even after

Negotiations to share the title failed.

Looking back over four decades-plus of

returning from a medical appointment

The local agency has set in motion the

politicsandpoliticking,Lalondefindsithard

council

dealing with a lower back problem that

process to choose a new name and have it

to single out any one accomplishment that

began just before he went on vacation last

approved by the Ontario government.

gives him the most pride.

month.When he gets back later in theweek

Thenewtitleisexpectedtobeannounced

“Tome,theywereallimportant,”hesaid,

from his latest round of travels on party

in May.

approves

“though I would think one of the biggest

business, he will look at getting therapy,

successeswas to get all themunicipalities to

which may include some special exercises

Rummage And Nearly New Sale

work together.”

to relieve the stressed muscles.

A rummage and nearly new sale will be

That, he thinks, made his lobbying work

“priority

Butfirstcomeshisofficialannouncement

held April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at Holy

as an MPP much easier, when the

later in the evening at the RiverRock Inn in

Trinity Anglican Church hall, 440 Stanley

municipalitiesprovidedmutualsupportfor

Rockland that he will retire from politics

St., Hawkesbury.

each other’s infrastructure, development,

after the October provincial election.

Arthritis Education Class

needs”

and service needs.

Including his time first as a councillor for

The Hawkesbury and District General

When he does leave Queen’s Park for the

Rockland and later the town’s mayor prior

Hospital holds a presentation on how to

last time, Lalonde will take a leaf out of his

to the amalgamation, followed by 16 years

recognize and deal with arthritis pain April

budget

federal counterpart, the former long-time

as a Liberal MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-

29from1:30p.m.to3p.m.Aphysiotherapist

Liberal MP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

Russell,Lalondehasspent41yearslobbying

will present on general arthritis: How to

Don Boudria, in publishing a combination

and arguing for his constituents.

deal with arthritis, what activities and

gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca

autobiography/political memoir.

“It was not an easy decision,” Lalonde

exercisescouldhelptoalleviatethepainand

P LANTAGENET

“Mybookhasbeenwrittenforthreeyears,

said, regarding his move towards political

learn much more on the subject. But first,

starting from when I was four,” he said. “It

retirement. “We’d been discussing it, my

you need to register by contacting 613-632-

needs some revising now.”

For Alfred-Plantagenet it’s not even a

wife and my children, for the past few

1111 ext. 447. Hurry up; places are limited!

He has one regret.

modestincreaseforthe2011budget.Infact,

months. They really wanted me to think

Spaghetti Supper

“I’m gonna miss the people, that’s for

thecombinedprojectionsforoperationsand

about it twice. I do believe in the policies of

The Grenville Elementary School Home

sure.”

capital works costs for this year are about

the (Liberal) party. We have a vision for the

and School Committee holds a spaghetti

$100,000 less than what the municipality

province, a vision for the young people.”

supper April 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the

spent last year.

Once hewas sure in his ownmind that it

community centre. Old-time music will be

Don Boudria

“Itaddressesthepriorities,”MayorJean-

wastimetostepdownandletsomeonetake

provided by Grampa Lenny and Friends.

Yves Lalonde said about the “needs must”

on the task of representing the provincial

There will also be door prizes and a 50-50

budgetapprovedduringtheApril4council

Liberalpartyintheriding,Lalondealsohad

draw. Call for your tickets by April 26 by

session. “I’m very satisfied. I think we’ve

to make some other decisions. Would he

contactingTammy(819-242-3230)orDarlene

remembers

got something that reflects what is needed

designatea“dauphin”,someonetotakehis

(450-566-1832).

for the township for this year.”

place, and what would he do after the

Bazaar

The total budget approved amounts to

election?

Abazaarwill be heldMay 21 and 22 from

Jean-Marc

$7.7million. That includes $7.38million for

“I don’t want to become a lobbyist,” he

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Larocque Park, Alfred, to

regular operations expenses and about

said, adding that he may rather look at

raise money for the Alfred Canada Day

$831,000 for a limited amount of capital

If he could think of the words that were

putting his political expertise and

Committee. Spaces for the giant garage sale

works this year.

persuasive enough, Don Boudria would try

connections towork as a volunteer for local

can be rented at $15 each. (Bring your tables

The municipal tax levy portion of the

to convince Jean-Marc Lalonde change his

groups.

and chairs.) First come, first served. If you

budget will be $3,680,660, an increase of

mind about retiring as MPP, at least for one

As for the “heir-apparent” suggestion,

have items to donate, bring them to the

about $250,000 from last year’s levy. Yet

more term.

Lalonde plans to stay neutral when the

Canada Day table. Contact Committee

therewillbeatinydecreaseinthetaxamount

“We need a Jean-Marc to make things

riding association chooses his successor.

President Geneviève Chatelain at 819-962-

that the average property owner pays as

happen,” Boudria said during a phone

“During the nomination, I will not be

8411

or

613-632-4117

or

part of the levy.

interview, “and no one can be a better Jean-

supporting any candidate. The people will

feteducanadaalfred@live.ca.

This year’s budget means $562 for every

Marc than Jean-Marc.”

decide.”

Russell Gauley Pancake Day

$100,000 current assessed value on an

But the former LiberalMP forGlengarry-

Lalonde is saving all his political energy

TheRussellGauleyPancakeDayinaidof

average residential property. Last year it

Prescott-Russellalsoknowsthatwouldseem

now for making good on his top priorities

the Canadian Cancer Society will be held

was$563.Theactualtaxfigureforindividual

a bit odd, given that he himself also retired

for the riding.

Sunday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the

propertiesmayvary,dependingonwhether

from politics while he was still a sitting

“Youwon’t see anything different in the

Vankleek Hill arena. Adults $6, children $3;

or not there have been improvements since

member of Parliament.

way I am working.”

children 5 and under free.

the last assessment period.

“He’s more than entitled to take his

Headinghiswishlistisafinalconclusion

Spring Tea And Bake Sale

Operation costs for this year’s budget

retirement, if that’s his wish. I have nothing

to the Highway 174/County Road 17

The Anglican Church Women group of

includes a 2.3 per cent increase in policing

but fondmemories of howwe used to work

upgrade project.

CalumethostsaspringteaandbakesaleMay

costs and a 3.5 per cent increase each for

together. We would share information on

“That is number one,” he said.

7 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Centre

garbage collection and recycling pickup.

the constituency, everything from riding

Followingclosebehindishelpingadvise

Paul-Bougie.

About 25 per cent of the capital works

issues to social events that wemight want to

Maxville and Alexandria on how to get

Volunteers Needed

portion of the budget focuses on paving

attend.”

senior-level government support to solve

The Hawkesbury Meals On Wheels

work for Domain Road, Villeneuve Road,

Boudriahas justoneobservationtomake

theirwatersupplysituation.Lalondenoted

programseekstwovolunteerstodelivermeals

Concession10,whichservesastheboundary

aboutretirementtopassontoLalonde:Keep

thatLimogesalsoneedshelptoupgradethe

to elderly, handicapped and convalescing

inPendletonwithTheNationmunicipality,

busy.

village’sexistingwaterandsewersystemto

people between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

and Campbell Road from the County Road

“I retired, and it lasted all of three

support future economic growth. He

Monday to Friday. Call Isabelle Lalonde at

9 intersection to the end.

months,”hesaid,chuckling.That’sthething.

observed that, given the current provincial

613-632-0939 for more information.

The capital works budget also includes

I got restless after a week.”

budget, there may not be any extra money

Faith Lifts Offered

moneyforlandscapingofEventurelParkin

Besides penning his memoirs, Boudria

he can help Limoges tap for infrastructure

Do you need a Faith Lift? Join the Riceville-

Alfred, culvert work along Mill Street,

has kept busy in his new occupation as a

improvements this year but he can provide

Pendleton United Church for an inspirational

marina parking upgrades in Treadwell,

lobbyistwiththeinternationalfirmofHill&

suggestions on who to contact and what

worship service this Sunday. For more

purchase of six breathing units for the

Knowlton.

ministries or departments to approach for

information

visit

www.riceville-

volunteer fire department, and a new

“It’s not as much fun as being anMP, but

next year.

pendletonunitedchurch.ca or callMargaret 613

tandem truck for the public works crew.

it’s close.”

He also intends to see that the expansion

524-5285 or Ray 613 673-2125.

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