The issues facing the municipality of Ste-Gertrude-Manneville caused a strong reaction from citizens of the MRC of Abitibi following the proposals made by Mayor Pascal Rheault in the show Sens Politique.
Guylaine Beauchemin – Local Journalism Initiative
Several people showed their support following the episode where the mayor raised the issues of being mayor of a small municipality of less than 1,000 inhabitants. With the excessive demands of the Quebec government through increasingly high accountability and administrative tasks, municipal mayors and also councilors are resigning in turn feeling this oppressive pressure from the ministry.
Many people reacted vocally to the mayor who felt a wave of solidarity towards his work as mayor. The citizens of Ste-Gertrude-Manneville now understand better why certain work is not progressing, among other things, the changing of culverts and the state of rural roads, not to mention the lack of labor. They understand that the mayor's hands are tied by the various ministries which are not always there to meet the grandiose needs of this small municipality of less than 1000 inhabitants.
Adjacent municipalities in the MRC of Abitibi also understood why their mayor had also resigned, and that several councilors were leaving their role and mandate on the Municipal Council.
Result ! The type of management stated by Mayor Pascal Rheault motivates fewer and fewer people to become mayors or even participate as advisors in the next elections.
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