Held last Thursday at the St. Raymond Centre by the
NDG Community Council, the meeting was attended by all the candidates for council seats: Philippe Godley (Ind.), David Hanna (Vision Montreal), Marie-Josée Mastromonaco (Union Montreal), David Riachi (Team O’Sullivan) and Peter McQueen (Projet Montréal), as well as the borough mayoral candidates, Brenda Paris (VM), Carole Dupuis (Projet Montréal) and Jacqueline Sommereyns (Team Louise O’Sullivan) and incumbent Michael Applebaum (Union Montréal).
In some of his remarks, Hanna recalled how Applebaum’s personal attaché, Hugo Tremblay, called the rector of the university where Hanna teaches, complaining that Hanna had written a letter complaining about a series of public consultations and demanding that the rector discipline him. “We had a good laugh over the lack of understanding or the banana republic approach,” Hanna said. “It was at that point that I began to think about entering politics.”
One resident, Marlo Ritchie with the Head and Hands youth organization, said she had the opportunity to work with Mastromonaco on the Table de concertation des jeunes and she had “some major concerns” about Mastromonaco’s “approach and your integrity and I would like to hear more from you in particular how you would work with youths and families in this neighbourhood that is non-judgemental.” At the same time, she wanted to hear the thoughts of one of Mastromonaco’s rivals, Peter McQueen.
Mastromonaco, a CSDM school commissioner since 2003, defended her integrity, citing her accomplishments on the school board and insisting that her “acts speak louder than the words of others.” McQueen said “clearly there is a lack of facilities for community groups. I think that clearly to find a large facility for a number of community groups in NDG is a top priority for Project Montréal NDG.”
Mastromonaco was again questioned about her stated intention of remaining a school commissioner if she is also elected a city councillor. “You don’t perceive any conflict of interest,” said Sharon Leslie, herself a former city councillor, noting that conflicts can arise when an individual is serving on both the school commission and city council.
“I think as much as a school commissioner and a city councillor we have one thing in common, we have the best interests of the residents and the citizens at heart and that’s what I intend to keep on doing,” Mastromonaco replied. Leslie responded, “Thank you for not answering my question,” to which Mastromonaco said, “You’re welcome.”
Applebaum was booed when he criticized Louise Harel, Vision Montréal’s leader, calling her “a unilingual French mayor running for the City of Montreal. I don’t think that a mayor like that represents our borough of Côte des Neiges-NDG, who refuses to get into any English debates.”
Applebaum was later booed again when he continued speaking beyond the time limit imposed for each candidate, despite the moderator’s repeated warnings.
Few sparks, but revealing moments, as NDGers meet their candidates
Few sparks, but revealing moments, as NDGers meet their candidates
A meet-the-candidates meeting held to introduce residents from the district of Notre Dame de Grâce to those they will be voting for on Nov. 1 was a quiet affair with no dramatic outbursts for the most part, although there were some revealing moments.
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Comments
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:32
@James Lawlor [I POSTED THE FOLLOWING COMMENT ON YOUR SITE. BUT IT'S AWAITING MODERATION. I'M ASSUMING THAT SINCE PROJET MONTREAL BELIEVES IN DEMOCRACY, IT WILL BE POSTED ON THAT SITE WITH OPEN ARMS] On David Hanna, are you sure you were at the same meeting? Here, let me help you uncover more about Mr. Hanna's platform. It is EXTREMELY easy to do. Simply click on the following link and watch the Youtube videos! They reveal shocking NDG scandals, and have a lot to say about how to improve our bike paths, access to green spaces, improving transit infrastructure, encouraging transit use, etc. http://www.davidhanna.ca As someone who was a chief organizer for Biotech Action Montreal (mentioned in one of David Suzuki's books), a former board member of Le Frigo Vert, a life-long NON-car driver, and a vegan since 1994 (so we're talking very little carbon foot printing here) I endorse UQAM Urban Planning Professor Mr. Hanna (a colleague of Richard Bergeron's). His shear knowledge of urban matters and how to realistically fix them, while listening to people like Projet Montreal supporters is unlike anything I have ever seen. Peter McQueen approached Mr. Hanna to be mayor for the borough, myself as a potential Loyola candidate, and Mr. Hanna's wife (Diane Chambers----an activist of incredible capabilities) to run as a councilor for Projet Montreal as well. So clearly, the people who surround David Hanna have got the respect of Mr. McQueen. So please consider voting for Mr. Hanna. His potential to become an executive in a Vision Montreal government is great... and his listening skills will mean unprecedented influence to get not only the better services NDG deserves, but also 400 new electric buses for ALL of Montreal within their 4-year mandate. The North American experience shows that it would take 10-12 years of design, bidding, etc. to get Trams in the City. We can't wait that long! Get the electric buses first while we work on the Trams. Vote David Hanna!
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:31
On the matter of David Hanna's ideas. Mr. McDonnell seems to be completely in the dark about Mr. Hanna's accomplishments in the areas of transportation. Mr. Hanna has taught or knows many urban planners in this City. He was the president of Heritage Montreal and is routinely consulted by City officials for major projects around the city. Mr. Hanna's idea of a light steel bridge for the de Maisonneuve bike path would be an incredibly simple gift for families who want to be able to get downtown without having to worry about that treacherous intersection. I can understand though how from the vantage point of Mr. McDonnell, trucks might seems so tall that they might hit such a steel bridge. BUt I assure you, trucks aren't THAT tall. But seeing as you have so much time on your hands, perhaps you can go there, take pictures, and try putting together some composites of various scenarios.
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:31
Raj just a note to people who believe this is an accurate picture of what happened at the St Raymond meeting. Michael Applebaum critisized Louise Harel for not debating in English and for being "unilingual". Not Mr Bergeron.
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:30
Raj just to set the record straight, I did grumble about UQAM AFTER the debate was finished. Other people in the audience were also talking - so again you have to take a reality check.
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:30
Julien Cools-Lartigue, B.C.L. PhD Barrister and Solicitor 625 Boul. René-Lévesque Ouest Suite 1400 Montréal H3B 1R2 October 24, 2009 Dear Julian, I am writing you concerning a serious of slanderous and perhaps even libelous statements made by a certain Raj Ramtuhol about my reputation on the online version of the Montreal Monitor. I have asked him to retract his statements but if he doesn't I would like to know what legal recourse I have. Sincerely yours, Patrick McDonnell cc Raj Ramtuhol c/o Montreal Monitor
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:28
Mr. McDonnell, it was the entire room (and not myself) that drowned out Mr. Applebaum's attempt to commandeer a meeting he (unfortunately for him) was not chairing. By the way, chairing a meeting where you are the one being asked the questions is not a democratic practice. Yet it has always been the hallmark of Michael Applebaum. His chairing of the zoning committee meetings is yet another example. As a real-estate agent Mr. Applebaum was in a conflict of interest and only stepped down when under more scrutiny as he was elevated to the executive council. He also threatened legal action against a terminally ill woman who asked in a soft-spoken and polite way why he was the chair of that committee months before he stepped down. Who was doing the bulling there? The closure of two pools in NDG, a large library, and centralization of services by further closures of sports facilties is the concern of all residents. Try talking to facility operators to understand what is really going to happen. All of them believe their eastern facilities are going to close. The dissatisfaction is widespread. You believe our calls for administration change is a "vendetta"?? I suggest that it is *YOU* who has transformed this sorry state of affairs into theater. The rest of us are simply trying to have a fair quality of life here in NDG. I certainly don't think NDG should be everyone else's milk cow! Do you Mr. McDonnell?
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:28
I can only assume that Raj Ramtuhol was one of the people in the back of the room booing and shouting 'answer the quesion' which shows an extreme lack of respect for the candidates. The moderator had some problem with how many questions the members of the audience could ask, and to whom. One person who attended the meeting wrote me this, "I wonder what children would have thought seeing their parents behaving like that?" Is Raj proud of his behavior? David Hanna kept repeating the words respect and democracy... to the deaf ears of Raj?
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:27
Mr. McDonnell is correct, it was Applebaum's "unilingual" comment about Louise Harel that erupted in a sea of booes against him. The next questioner humourously pointed out that Mr. Applebaum's French was not so hot a few years ago. So who was he to judge? Applebaum was trying to suggest that Madame Harel did not represent the people of Montreal. Well, with no visible minorities in CDN-NDG's council, it's senior public service, or even the people who set up for CDN borough meetings, I don't think Mr. Applebaum is in any position to preach about representation. BTW, a number of anglos met with Louise Harel last Friday at the Fraser-Hickson. There was no doubt that virtually all of them were impressed with her ever-improving English. She did not switch languages during her presentation, and when she spoke to us one on one, she stuck to the English despite anglos trying to return the show of respect by speaking their best French. She's obviously determined to learn the language but you wouldn't know that from the prejudicial comments coming from the likes of Applebaum, McDonnell and de-merger Angryphones.
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:26
Mr. McDonnell, I thought you were against slander? Everyone I have ever known to have fought to save the Fraser-Hickson did so on a volunteer basis. Your preferred victor for this election (Mr. Applebuam) had far more to gain by letting the Fraser-Hickson shut down by opening up that land for sale to developers. When Vision wins this race, rest assured that any and all improprieties practiced by the Union administration will be uncovered.
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:26
Mr. Barry's article is very accurate and indeed revealing of what really took place at the meeting.For more examples of abuses of the Applebaum administration, in comfortable Youtube video format, take a look at Mr. Hanna's website: http://www.davidhanna.ca . Also, see my reply to Mr. McDonnell's open letter---which is clearly designed to relay a very distorted rendition of what happened.
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- James Lawlor
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:26
I attended the the meeting and was very impressed by the fact that only Peter McQueen gave answers to the questions asked by the public. Ms. Mastromonaco was particularly evasive in her answers! For an alternate view of what happened in the room instead of reading the spin from two supporters of the old line parties read this: http://projetmontrealndg.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/mcqueen-dominates-st-raymond%E2%80%99s-all-candidates-meeting/
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:25
Note: Martin Barry failed to comment on VISION Montreal candidate David Hanna's answers to questions. Hanna seemed to say everything was 'easy' to do. I had to chuckle at his naivety based on my own experiences over the past 10 year with trying to get a sports recreation center built in NDG. Perhaps his academic background colours his perception of the problems? Making a youtube is easy. Take Hanna's comment on the 'easy' bridge to connect the bike path from Vendome to Maisoneuve - trucks routinely crash into the train overpass, so woe to the bikers if they get hit on Hanna's bike bridge! The underpass is going to have to be deepened, and probably replaced. Who pays? the city, province, federal? This is an important problem that needs to be solved, but there is no 'easy' solution. Hanna says it is easy to change speed limits on main arteries - a provincial domain. He says it is easy to solve the aging sewage water collection problem. The sewage line that goes along Maisoneuve will probably have to be dug up and replaced and repaved, and a new bike path built; not an easy task, and it requires money. Over and over I was impressed with Professor Hanna's 'easy' solutions. I guess when you teach urban planning at UQAM it is easy. I guess it is easy to watch half a billion dollars go out the window and say nothing - I am referring to the ilot Voyageur and Science buildings cost overruns. Will he say something about former Vision party candidate Labonté? Will he take the 'easy' way out?
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:24
Raj Ramtuhol: Environmentalist, vegan, Programmer, who wants serious scientific study of the UFO phenomenon. That says it all...
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:24
@Patrick McDonnell. Last night, during the meet-the-candidates for Loyola, you attempted to corner Cym Gomery on specifically *her* efforts to save Benny Park by suggesting she made "false" statements about the Sports Complex. You introduced yourself as a member of the sports committee.... finally, the truth emerged on why you have been so desperately defending the corrupt Tremblay-Applebaum team all these weeks. It was all about greed! Getting back to the cornering. Ms. Gomery correctly pointed out that the "consultation" process was a sham. It was designed to give the impression of consultation when in fact the most important aspect of consultation (its location) was not to be discussed. In addition, the ever-changing footprint of the complex, and tax-payer funded propaganda flyers (containing falsehoods) are NOT examples of consultation. Mr. Applebaum stated that the fact that over 60,000 people did not sign the register was "proof" that they approved the construction in the park. That was an outright lie---but should we expect any less from Mr. Applebaum? The only people eligible to sign the register were those living in a small number of zones surrounding the park. That number was extremely small...numbering at most a few thousand. People living in Sherbrooke Forest and Benny Farm (yes, users of the pool!!) wanted to sign the register that would have stopped the construction in the park... but sadly, contrary to what Applebaum said, they were not allowed to. With only ten signatures more, the project could have been forced back to Benny Farm, where the consensus expected it to be. In the end, your attempt to defame Ms. Gomery was met with her asking you for specifics. Which you were (rather awkwardly!) not able to produce. So much for your dramatics. The whole fiasco was about greed. Your greed and the greed of certain politicians, to the detriment of our green spaces. And when voters hit the polls, that is what they will remember. On psychiatric help, I'm not the one who was banned from entering a certain premises in NDG on the basis of his public behaviour. My understanding is that you have since reformed. So I get why you are recommending psychiatric help. But rest assured, I won't need any :-) .
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:24
Raj to quote Senator Barney Frank, "On what planet do you spend most of your time?" You write that the "entire room" drowned out Mr Applebaum. I think you are in serious need of professional help. I can recommend several psychiatrists who can help you overcome your delusional state. As far as having an intelligent conversation with you on line or in person, I quote Barney Frank again. "Talking to you is like talking to the kitchen table." Take care and try to get help.
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:23
Mr. Ramtuhol I am really tired of your comments. If you do not retract the following false and slanderous allegations I will contact my lawyer to take action against you. Mr Ramtuhol's following statement is a lie and is slanderous , " I'm not the one who was banned from entering a certain premises in NDG on the basis of his public behavior. My understanding is that you have since reformed. " I did not try to slander Ms Gomery during the candidate discussion but asked her to reply to an article that Warren Allmand wrote in the Suburban. To wit, Mr Allmand wrote that she was "making serious errors and excessive distortions about the construction of the proposed Benny Park and Recreation Center which might mislead many citizens." When she asked me to say what specifically Warren objected to, I told her it was her assertion that the new Sports Recreation Center would raise NDG resident taxes. As far as my motivations for supporting the new sports recreation center, I take your comments as an insult to my integrity. I have never taken a cent before, during, and now after my membership in the NDG sports recreation committee. You impugn my reputation, and the reputation of all the residents of NDG who have been or are still members of this committee. Shame on you Mr Ramtuhol. Shame. We have had enough of your diatribes. Vision Montreal candidate David Hanna has some questions I could ask him about the closing of the Fraser Hickson library. As you have pointed out previously, Mr Ramtuhol, Mr Hanna has consulted on previous Montreal heritage building projects therefore he 'might' have been well placed to be paid as a consultant if the 4 million dollar restoration of the old Fraser Hickson building had taken place.
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:23
Raj after hearing you yell at St Raymonds everytime Michael Aplebaum tried to reply to a question, I think everyone can recognize you and your loud impolite voice. Take care about shouting tonight... As far as knowing me, if you had actually taken part in NDG for the last 10 years, and not on a personal Vendetta would might be the wiser. Please STOP your vendetta, everyone is getting tired of it.
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- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:23
Raj you must be taking lessons from Louise Harel. From Montreal Gazette: One trait the Vision Montréal leader put on display Sunday when interviewed on Radio-Canada’s Tout le monde en parle was slipperiness. Here is the first question put to the former Parti Québécois minister: “You are one of the makers of the controversial municipal mergers for which many Quebecers have still not forgiven the PQ. You are a strong sovereignist. You are criticized for not speaking English very well. How do you expect to persuade federalists, anglophones and those still upset over the mergers to vote for you?” Fine question. To allow you to appreciate how Harel tackled it, I’ll quote her response in full: “Those who were really against the merger – the (people of) the 15 municipalities from the island’s western part – left Montreal in 2005. The program of Vision Montreal, and its renewed team, will allow us to return to normal. It is not normal for a mayor not to know what is happening (with public-works contracts) in his city. It is not normal! A mayor has a duty to know!” And on she went, attacking Mayor Gérald Tremblay, who was also on the show. Notice how she minimized popular dissent over the forced mergers, failed to address sovereignty and English, claimed her party program and slate will be a solution without saying how, and never hinted at what “normal” means. Then she changed the subject by launching a diversionary attack on her rival on an entirely unrelated matter. It was vintage Harel. Evade, evade, evade. In imposing the mergers, for example, she evaded all public consultation at which she would have to deal with tough questions.
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:23
When it comes to the time to vote I believe the voters will remember that Louise Harel Vision Montreal's candidate David Hanna and the now disgraced ex Vision right hand man Bernard Labonté go way back (to at least 2007 according to David Hanna and the Gazette). That should bring up all kinds of questions in voter's mind. I have always felt that birds of a feather flock together... No matter how much Raj Ramtuhol rants and raves, writes and plays the bully at public meetings, nothing will change that.
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:22
Am I being the aggressive bully here? In fact Mr. McDonnell, you were sitting right in front of me during last debate. I finally knew who you were when you and your significant other started muttering out loud about UQAM---when it was time for Mr. Hanna to speak. For a moment, I could not hear him as you expressed your lone, emotional disdain for him. When it comes time to vote, it will be the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of EXISTING contracts with companies linked to organized crime that will be in the minds of voters. This problem is too serious to ignore and actions must be taken immediately by the new administration.
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- Roger Haughey
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:22
It's too bad that Martin C. Barry missed the two most significant moments in the debate, when he said that Mayor-for-life Applebaum criticised Projet Montreal's Richard Bergeron when in fact it was Louise Harel, and when he said that Applebaum was booed for passing the time limit imposed for each candidate, when in fact he tried to speak to an unrelated point after (sort of) answering a question about conflict of interest. His answer to that question was telling because he said that he gave up his real estate license when he was appointed to the Executive Committee of the center city last year, not six years earlier when he was elected to represent the CDN/NDG Borough as mayor. I agree with James Lawlor when he observed that Peter McQueen answered questions clearly, while the Union candidate very clearly did not.
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- Paul Wong
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:21
How come Jeremy Searle was not at this important debate ? Has he dropped out ?
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- Patrick McDonnell
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:21
Raj, if it wasn't so sad it would be funny how Vision Montreal has bamboozled the credulous.. Read the complete article in the On line Gazette here, Entitled Louise Harel; the great evader http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Louise+Harel+Great+Evader/2121324/story.html
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- Raj Ramtuhol
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:21
At the end of the day Louise Harel is not the one with six police investigations, or borough mayors who use Banana Republic tactics to threaten citizens. Labonte came from the Union Montreal Party and was one of Tremblay's top men years longer than the months he was with Harel. A chip off the old block I'd say. Less known is the fact that Harel had Line Hamel (Councillor for the Borough of Sud-Ouest) step down when it was discovered that her father was involved in a scandal as well. Harel has swiftly cut down people who have abused the system. She is also the only candidate who has consistently stated she will en-state an independent ethics commission. Remember: all of the current scandals have been allowed to happen under the reign of the Tremblay administation. Harel is not going to address sovereignty or the mergers for the same reason Project Montreal and Union's quiet sovereignists are not: it has nothing to do with Municipal affairs---and cannot be governed at the municipal level. So Mr. McDonnell, your efforts to convince by instilling a false fear are completely disingenuous.
