LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Missing in action

Dear Editor,

Last Monday’s Hudson council meeting was late in starting, the reason being the absence of Mayor Jamie Nicholls. When it was obvious that the mayor would not be present, Councillor Austin Rikley-Krindle stepped into those shoes as Pro-Mayor. It was not an easy job, but he handled it with grace under pressure, especially given the circumstances.

According to the mayor’s prepared statement read by Director General Philip Toone, he has decided to step back from his duties to reflect on his role as mayor. In his statement, Nicholls mentioned that his personal vision and values might have caused harm and stress to citizens and that he was sorry if that was the case. He was referring specifically to proposed By-law 526.8 which would have impacted many property owners by enlarging the 10-metre wetland buffer to 30-metres, thereby limiting any new infrastructure in some backyards.

Because the by-law was not adopted than night, it self-destructs. I suspect council wil...

Dear Editor,

Madame Karleen Muhlegg would be better known for great wisdom had she offered to sell the Sandy Beach land back to the Town of Hudson (Conservation conflict in Hudson, The Journal, November 21, page 3).

Conservation begins in our backyards.

To add yet another development to that waterfront land, the jewel of the Ottawa River, is oh so not appropriate today.

The Nicanco Holdings development is just another speculator trying to profit from a gamble, and loading the dice by threatening a lawsuit. Speculators take their chances and can expect to lose in this era of dire global threats.  Paid millions in taxes? Sounds like they can afford the write-off.

What value do we put on the quality of life for the people and animals who by rights should have access to an unspoiled environmentally-important park?

If Hudson lets this go through, everyone will pay for the loss of green space

William Bradley

Rigaud

Dear Editor,

Small Villages and Church Bazaars... they go hand in hand in the weeks leading up to the Christmas Season. Busy hands creating fresh wreaths, plum puddings, gingerbread men, and handmade ornaments as well as rummaging through attics and basements to produce treasures of all kinds.

This is what was available at the St. James Bazaar last Saturday and it didn't disappoint.

Thank you on behalf of the St. James Church Women to all of you who created this wonderful event and to all of you who so generously supported it.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season.

Margaret Lagimodiere

Hudson

Open letter to Hudson Mayor Jamie Nicholls and members of council

I am writing to express my concerns about the 30-metre setback draft by-law which is set to be adopted by resolution at the December 2019 council meeting.

Even well intended regulations can have disastrous consequences if the possible repercussions are not considered.  To desire to protect wetlands and wooded areas is commendable and I'm sure most Hudson citizens will applaud your efforts to want to do more; however, there are many ways to do so but this by-law, in my opinion, will cause undue hardship for some homeowners.

Here are my concerns:

If everyone had acres of land with tons of rooms for all kinds of setbacks to protect every sensitive area, wetland, and all the fauna and flora, this law would not be an issue but the reality is that most homeowners who will be affected live in an urban setting and don't have that luxury.

Imposing a 30-metre setback, triple what the province legislates, is not necessary and will have...

Dear Editor,

Re: Draft By-law 526.8-2019 – Amending Zoning By-law 526 to Modify Certain Provisions Concerning Wetland Protection.

During the August, 2019 council meeting Hudson passed Notion of Motion 526.7-2019 – Amending Zoning By-law 526 to Modify Certain Provisions to Protect Natural Habitats & Natural Constraints. In Mayor Jamie Nicholl’s words at the time it triggered an immediate, “effet de gel” and began a period where the town could begin to implement reforms to existing by-laws. However, two months passed with little public engagement or education on environmental issues. This was followed by Draft By-law 526.8-2019 which was tabled in October, 2019, again followed by weeks without public engagement or education, culminating in a disastrous public consultation on November 18.

Environmental consultants Eco2Urb were contracted by the council to conduct a town-wide Conservation Plan as a first step in developing a guiding toolset for urban planning, by-law reform, and protection of...

Dear Editor,

On November 18 a public consultation for Hudson citizens was held concerning the proposed amendment By-law 526.8 to increase the buffer zone for wetlands from 10 metres, the minimum recommended by the province, to 30 metres.  One of the first questions asked by a concerned citizen was, ‘Can I rebuild my home if it burns down in a fire and it is located within the 30m buffer zone?’ The answer from Mayor Jamie Nicholls was, ‘NO.’ You could feel the outrage in the room. This would be devastating for even one property owner but it is estimated that 50+ homeowners could be affected in this way.

A couple of days later I attended a District 2 meeting and Councillor Austin Rikley-Krindle and Mayor Nicholls announced they would add a grandfather clause. Most people in the room agreed that this would be a step in the right direction and would provide an adequate provision to protect property owners.  However, when the question was asked if we could we have flexibility for new extensio...

Dear Editor, 

I am hoping the distraught lady, who had the misfortune of running into Sammy the dog with her car last Friday evening, will find out by reading this letter that Sammy is fine. 

I apologize to the lady for having been so preoccupied with Sammy's well-being that I overlooked asking her for her co-ordinates which would have enabled me to contact her directly with this good news, and I thank her for her kindness and concern.

Sincerely,

Frank Royle

Hudson

Dear Editor,

The fundraising concert held on Friday, November 8 at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Hudson proved to be an astounding success. As the organizers, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone that gave of their time, talent and financial resources to support the cause of raising a roof for Luis and his family in Pucallpa, Peru.

We are particularly grateful to our sponsors, Jeff Quenneville and Carole Schneider of Quenneville Walsh Private Wealth Management / Raymond James and The Journal for their generous support. Also, many thanks to Father Roland Demers and the many volunteers of Saint Thomas Parish for their unflagging contributions to the event.

To the choirs, the musicians, and all the talented individuals that wholeheartedly supported the event, we want to express a heartfelt thank you. That includes Heather Markgraff who patiently coordinated the entire evening behind the scenes and Steve Dennison our Master of Ceremonies.

What began as a small seed plante...

Open letter to Hudson Mayor Jamie Nicholls and councillors

I am writing you with extreme concern about Hudson’s proposed zoning changes to multiple properties.

This 30-metre buffer zone will adversely affect many including my mother’s property at 467 Wellesley.

In her case your proposed rezoning will encompass her entire house, workshop/garage, and some of her front yard. Note that her land is well above the stream she overlooks.  In elevation, I estimate her house sits a good 25 feet above the flood zone.

The harm this will do to her investment is untold. As your urbanist stated in the consultation meeting regarding this new proposed law, should her house or workshop suffer catastrophic damage, she would not be permitted to rebuild. In addition, any grass cutting, flower beds, ornamental shrubbery etc. would not be permitted to be maintained or trimmed, either at the front or back of her house.  

I believe that if the Pine Lake damn was maintained and honoured in the legal contract the tow...

Why is the street parking so terrible in Pointe-Claire?

Dear Editor,

The parking at the Lakeshore General Hospital was full up on Tuesday, November 12. We had to walk down the street facing the hospital to the school located at the end of Frobisher Avenue, then cross over to the park to Whitley Avenue before we were able to find parking on a street that was not banned. Meaning the only alternative we had when we could not find parking in the
hospital lot was to walk half a mile to a local street.
We are 80-year-old seniors, my husband has cancer and all the health issues connected to the cancer.

Why are the streets blocked off to handy parking? These are public streets paid for by taxpayers’ dollars and yet closed off to innumerable patients at all hours, any time during the year.

The hospital, Statcare Emergency clinic, and the parking lot connected to Southwest One Medical Centre are for people who are in need of care, hospitalization, and treatment.
If this is the case, why then does t...