V-E Day commemoration ceremony in Côte Saint-Luc on Sunday, May 5, 2013

Royal Canadian Legion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Members of the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mayor Anthony Housefather, the Côte Saint-Luc city council, dignitaries, veterans and residents will commemorate Victory in Europe (V-E) Day on Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm at Veterans Park.

 

“My generation and those of my children and grandchildren will never be able to fully pay back the Canadian soldiers who fought to defeat tyranny during the Second World War,” said Ruth Kovac, who is the co-chairperson of this event with Councillor Allan J. Levine. “By liberating Europe our veterans also ended the genocide against the Jewish population of Europe and others targeted by the Nazis.”

 

VE Day parade in Cote Saint-Luc 2008

Councillor Levine said we must continue to honour those who have served and those families who lost loved ones for our country.

 

“I encourage everyone to come on May 5 and show support for our veterans who still continue to do so much for our community and look after their own,” Councillor Levine said. “Indeed, this year our veterans raised more than $31,000 during last November’s Poppy Fund Campaign. Those funds were then returned to the community through donations to local organisations, such as the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Old Brewery Mission and many others.”

 

Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veteran’s Park

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War.

 

VE Day 2008: Mayor and City Council with Parade Marshall Bob Feldstein in CSL Veterans Park

This year’s commemoration will be conducted by Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 President, Frank Levine. Veterans Park is located next to the City Hall and library (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the City Hall.

George Nashen in front of the Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park on VE Day 2012

Kid-friendly Winter Carnival Day on February 10, 2013 in Côte Saint-Luc

The main attraction of the Côte Saint-Luc Winter Carnival is on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park, where people will enjoy a free pancake breakfast, horse drawn carriage rides, inflatable games and more.

Other kid-friendly activities include taffy on snow, snowshoeing, kicksledding, tobogganing on the hill, a puppet show, face painting, a Scouts presentation, and snow games.

The Côte Saint-Luc Winter Carnival runs from Wednesday, February 6 to Saturday, February 16, 2013 and also includes a hockey tournament, a figure-skating exhibition, a Valentine dance, and movie screening for seniors. The full schedule is available at www.CoteSaintLuc.org/WinterCarnival2013.

All Côte Saint-Luc Winter Carnival events are free except for the public skating event on February 9, 2013 and the Valentine Dance on February 16, 2013. The entrance fee for public skating is $5 (or free with a Fun Card). Proceeds from the public skating event and donations will go to Ronald McDonald House. Tickets for the Valentine dance are $25 in advance or $28 at the door.

The event co-chairpersons are councillors Mitchell Brownstein and Allan J. Levine.

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• Love is in the air (gjnashen.wordpress.com)

 

CSL Senior Men’s Club celebrates 25 years

Mike Cohen reports on the CSL Senior Men’s Club 25th anniversary dinner

20 years in service for Allan J. Levine

Free Press, may 22, 2012, Click to enlarge

Congratulations to my friend and colleague Councillor Allan J. Levine, celebrating 20 years of service on Cote Saint-Luc City Council.  I was a Council regular for 10 years before I was first elected and joined him on Council in 1990 and have watched Allan throughout his political career.  He operates with dogged perseverance, always has an opinion to share and rarely misses an opportunity for a spirited quip.

I’ll always remember one of Allan’s famous quotes from a public meeting back in the early 90s when he was voting against an increase in tender prices over the previous year for paper supply.  ”The price of paper is not just stationery,” he said to great laughter from the audience.

And there was the time he gave notice of motion to limit the number of cats per household.  He never pursued the motion as he was concerned that anyone named Katz, with lots of kids, would be offended.

Allan is also a preeminent shmoozer.  At the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities conferences Allan is renowned for his pin-trading acumen. Allan can always be found, city pins covering both lapels, chatting it up with mayors and councillors from across the country engaging in discussions and comparisons in public works techniques, urban development bylaws, public safety issues, sports and recreation activities and more.

Allan is a teacher by profession but is a self-confessed expert in just about every imaginable discipline.  One may take issue with his findings or conclusions but there is no arguing that he is one of the most animated, comical and engaged politicians in the region.  And now, he can add long-serving to the list as well.

If you’re looking to ask Allan a question he’s always around.  His wife Rhoda joins him on their very frequent walks around CSL, or he’s hanging out at the CSL Tennis Club, won’t be far if a flash mob buffet opens up and will be first on any dance floor to rival any Arthur Murray graduate.

Anyone who know’s Allan will agree that he’s one of a kind.

Congratulations Allan.

Public smoking ban passes ‘unfiltered’ by nay votes

Public smoking ban passes ‘unfiltered’ by nay votes

Isaac Olson, February 28, 2012

The Free Press

 

Côte St. Luc has taken another step towards what they hope will protect citizens from second-hand tobacco smoke. After a unanimous vote on February 13, councillors have banned smokers from lighting up in public parks or during city sponsored events like Canada Day celebrations.

“This is once again an opportunity to take a leadership role,” said Councillor Steven Erdelyi, who initiated the amendment. “Côte St. Luc will be the first city on the island, if not the first in the province of Quebec, to disallow smoking anywhere within 20 metres of a playground equipment as well as baseball and soccer fields. We also will not allow smoking anywhere in the pool area and no smoking in public parks during special events like the recent Winter Carnival. This is something the residents have asked for.”

Erdelyi said he hopes this regulation will set an example for other municipalities to follow.

Citing the ongoing evolution of smoking laws across a province, Councillor Glenn Nashen said he thinks the measure is “very, very important as it is not only trendsetting, its also health promoting.”

This sentiment is something Mayor Anthony Housefather highlighted as well when he said: “I think this is a by-law to protect all residents who do not want to be in the close proximity to smoke.”

Councillor Allan Levine said he would like to see a by-law passed that bans people from smoking in their car when a child is present. Councillor Mike Cohen also cited concern for those exposed to second-hand smoke and those that are addicted to tobacco. Cohen he is proud to be the member of a council that is once again taking global leadership role. “I would like to see other municipalities to follow our lead,” said Cohen. “Hopefully this is another tool for us to convince people not to smoke.”

District 6 in full bloom

The annual Ville Fleurie contest culminated with the presentation of awards last week at City Hall. District 6 was well represented with award winning gardens being recognized and celebrated along with other beautiful displays by our homeowners, be it in single family dwellings, town houses, duplexes or high rises.

Councillors Sam Goldbloom, Allan J. Levine (left) and former Councillor Harold Greenspon co-chaired the event, with our Parks and Recreation Department doing their usual excellent job coordinating a classy affair. Noted classical pianist Edwin Brownell was back to entertain the audience with his fancy finger work on the piano keys.

Congratulations to repeat winners Corrie, Mitchell and Madison White of Melling Ave for their tremendous efforts at the “White House”.

Kudos also to Lucie Bendahan of Parkhaven Ave, Joanne and Eric Goldapple of Einstein Ave, Joanne Stroll also of Einstein and Frank Palucci on Kildare Road.

CSL horticulturalist Rene Lapointe was singled out for extraordinary work in creating beautiful floral displays along our main arteries and at city buildings and parks.

Corrie, Madison and Mitchell White take 2nd prize for single family homes in District 6

V-E Day commemoration ceremony in Côte Saint-Luc on Sunday, May 8, 2011

The annual Victory in Europe (V-E) Day commemoration ceremony in the City of Côte Saint-Luc takes place on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 2 pm at Veterans Park.

The City of Côte Saint-Luc and the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion organize the V-E Day event, which commemorates the victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany.

“As someone born in The Netherlands after the Second World War, this ceremony is particularly meaningful as it commemorates the liberation of my country of birth by my country of welcome,” said Councillor Ruth Kovac, who is the co-chairperson of this event with Councillor Allan J. Levine. “By liberating Europe from Nazism, our veterans also ended the genocide against the Jewish population of Europe.”

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War.

Veterans Park is located next to the City Hall and library (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the City Hall.

EMSB to hold info meeting about new high school for CSL

EMSB to hold info meeting about new high school for CSL

By Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban, September 23, 2010

The English Montreal School Board is holding an information meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 6 at Côte St. Luc city hall, to discuss a potential “unique” public high school in that city.

The EMSB is “calling upon parents of children presently in elementary schools — both public and private — to attend this meeting and provide their thoughts of the type of high school they would like to see for their youngsters.”

Wagar High School closed in 2005. The Wagar building on Parkhaven was renamed the Giovanni Palatucci Facility, and currently contains the Marymount Adult Education Centre, the John Grant special needs high school and the EMSB Book Processing Centre.

“This meeting in Côte St. Luc will provide an opportunity for parents of future high school students in the West End to provide their input into what kind of secondary institution they would like to see,” EMSB chairman Angela Mancini said in a prepared statement.

The EMSB also announced that commissioner Syd Wise, a former Wagar principal, has been appointed chairman of a special committee looking at establishing schools with a particular focus.

“Initial feedback has indicated there is interest in a school with a heritage-academic program, as well as interest in a school with a sports concentration program,” said Wise.

The EMSB announcement points out that Côte St. Luc mayor Anthony Housefather has called for a new public school in his city, and he asked councillor Allan Levine, a former Wagar teacher, to be Côte St. Luc’s liaison with the EMSB. Hampstead councillor Bonnie Feigenbaum will be at the Oct. 6 meeting as well as her town’s representative.

The EMSB Long Range Planning Committee is “expected to make recommendations next March for major school change,” the board says.

According to a 2008 Côte St. Luc brief presented to the EMSB, “census information suggests that there are approximately 8,613 children aged 0 to 14 who are eligible to attend English-language school in Côte St. Luc and surrounding areas. This does not include the 15 to 17-year-olds. A large number of these students could be attracted to a new public high school of the English Montreal School Board at the location of the old Wagar High School building. Given the outstanding municipal sports facilities, libraries, parks and other community buildings in Côte St. Luc, a new high school would benefit from the existing infrastructure and resources.”

And, as the EMSB release points out, a new school on the Wagar site would be across the street from the existing Côte St. Luc gymnasium and an upcoming intergenerational aquatic centre.

Côte St. Luc seeks to reopen Wagar with Jewish program

Côte St. Luc seeks to reopen Wagar with Jewish program

By JANICE ARNOLD, Staff Reporter, Canadian Jewish News

Wednesday, 22 September 2010

The City of Côte St. Luc wants a public high school, ideally with a Jewish heritage program, to open on its territory, most likely in the former Wagar High School.

The city will host an English Montreal School Board (EMSB) public information meeting Oct. 6 at city hall at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Anthony Housefather believes many residents of Côte St. Luc and neighbouring Hampstead would like to see a public high school that has cultural Jewish programming.

The city has proposed to the EMSB that such a school offer elective classes that would provide “foundational knowledge of Jewish history, ethics and language within the context of a standard high school curriculum.”

It also suggests similar programming in the Italian heritage might be offered to Côte St. Luc’s second-largest ethnic community, as well as a sports-focused stream for students who want to combine their studies with athletics.

“We believe that such a heritage program will attract more Jewish students to the public education system. The EMSB would be able to increase its registration numbers and the City of Côte St. Luc would become even more attractive to young families,” the city states in its brief to the board.

Although a Jewish heritage program has been offered at Royal Vale elementary school, now located in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, for more than 20 years, the EMSB currently has no such program at the high school level.

The last mainstream public high school in Côte St. Luc, Wagar on Parkhaven Avenue, closed in 2005, due to declining enrolment stemming mostly from the trend toward private schools and the decline of the anglophone population. Today, it’s called the Giovanni Palatucci Facility, in honour of the Italian diplomat credited with saving the lives of 5,000 Jews during World War II, and houses the Marymount Adult Education Centre, John Grant special-needs high school and the EMSB book-processing centre.

The issue of such a heritage school first came up in 2008, when the EMSB held public hearings on the desirability of establishing a mainstream, English-language high school in Côte St. Luc.

With the declining numbers of children eligible for English education, the likely source of students for any such public school would likely be the Jewish and other private schools. According to the Canadian census, there are more than 8,000 children under age 15 eligible for an English education living in Côte St. Luc and surrounding areas, the city says.

The issue appears to be gaining momentum. EMSB chair Angela Mancini has appointed commissioner Syd Wise as chair of a special committee to look into the possibility. Wise was once principal of Wagar.

Mancini said she is looking for input from West End parents of future high school students on what kind of secondary institution they’d like to see. Even if approved, the earliest the new high school would open is the 2012-2013 school year.

Meanwhile, Housefather, who is personally advocating for the new high school, has named councillor Allan Levine, a retired school teacher, as liaison with the EMSB to push the file along.

The Town of Hampstead has also become involved in the project, and councillor Bonnie Feigenbaum is the point person on the file. The EMSB said it expects to make recommendations next March regarding this issue.

CSL council split on eco park support

CSL council split on eco park support

Sept. 8, 2010, The Suburban, By Joel Goldenberg

Côte St. Luc council was somewhat divided, voting 4-2 at the July council meeting to support the creation of a national park in a 50 km radius around the Montreal area to preserve greenspaces.

According to a proposal by the environmental activist group the Green Coalition, the Montreal Archipelago Ecological Park should be established to “protect the distinct ecological domain in south-western Quebec.

“The proposal is the culmination of grass-roots efforts dating from the 1970s to curb the steady and extensive erosion of the rich natural heritage of this region that is unique in all of Quebec,” says the coalition’s document. “This Green Belt plan for the Montreal region offers an overarching strategy to promote biodiversity and habitat conservation and to mitigate climate change. For Montreal, the strategy is the last chance to emulate the conservation achievements of other major urban centres in Canada.”

Councillor Dida Berku, who introduced a resolution at the Côte St. Luc public meeting, said numerous groups from across the Montreal metropolitan region have come together “to support the creation of a green belt. The goal is to save the remnants of the unique maple hickory forest domain by ensuring a minimum of 12 percent of this ecological zone is protected in perpetuity. This natural area has the greatest biodiversity in all of Quebec and is the most seriously threatened by urban development.”

Berku said other cities have adopted the resolution. She said the green belt would include Sirois to Sorel and Montreal. “Other metropolitan areas have green belts of this nature, and it is really essential and important, and a significant measure the Quebec and federal governments can take.”

Councillors Ruth Kovac and Mike Cohen voted against the resolution. Kovac told the meeting that she did not want to join a petition to send a message to upper levels of government without knowing what the cost of such an endeavour will be.

“For me, there are other priorities and I don’t want to be in a position where we’re part of a grand petition setting their priorities and others will be put by the wayside,” Kovac added. “We don’t know what parts of the land are privately held. I’m not against development on the island of Montreal or anywhere off island. I don’t intend to dictate to another community what they should or should not develop.”

Cohen said he was concerned that the Quebec government could take a negative look at the municipalities which supported the resolution.

“I don’t want to be on the hook for any financial implications, and that could always happen,” Cohen warned. “The Quebec government is short of money, and I don’t think they are looking to fund projects like this. They are very good at downloading… they could tell the municipalities which supported it, you will do your share. I don’t want to take that risk.”

Councillor Sam Goldbloom supported the resolution, citing its statement that the Montreal region has the lowest percentage per capita of greenspace, of 14 metropolitan areas. “The people who might be worried about what this is going to cost, one could ask, what is this going to cost if we don’t preserve greenspace for our and our children’s benefit,” he said. “If there are costs involved, I think they are worthwhile.”

Councillor Allan Levine said saving maple hickory trees is “not the most important thing in my life. But certainly any wetlands are very important, they allow filtering of the water.”

Councillor Glenn Nashen agreed, and said the purpose is to create a filter to create clean air and water. “It’s vital for future generations,” Nashen said.

Montreal needs greenbelt, The Gazette

Keep nature in its place, The Gazette

Hampstead cuts the ribbon on new volunteer patrol

Municipal Patrol Partners: Councillors Glenn J. Nashen and Leon Elfassy

What do Cote Saint-Luc and Hampstead have in common to offer residents peace of mind?  They now both have Citizens on Patrol units assisting residents, Public Security agents and Police and both are striving to be the safest communities on the Island of Montreal.

Hampstead launched its Municipal Volunteer Patrol (MVP) with great fanfare at its first-ever Public Safety Day in Hampstead Park.  Hundreds of residents, young and old, filled the park that was set up with displays from Police, Urgences Santé, Canadian Armed Forces, Hatzolah, the Fire Department Auxiliary and others ranging from home security to locksmiths to physiotherapists.

Hampstead Councillor Leon Elfassy is credited with setting up Hampstead’s new volunteer brigade modelled along the lines of Cote Saint-Luc’s volunteer Citizens on Patrol.  Mayor Bill Steinberg and the entire Hampstead Council were on hand, along with Cote Saint-Luc Councillors Glenn J. Nashen and Allan Levine, Hampstead Public Security Chief Bob Martin and Station 9 Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette to officially innaugurate the new service.

Hampstead Councillor Michael Goldwax with MVPer Aviva Reinitz

There are now three such patrols on the island, Baie D’Urfé being one of them, with Cote Saint-Luc’s, established on July 1, 2006, being the first in Quebec.  Elfassy thanked Nashen for assisting in establishing Hampstead’s unit.  “We want Hampstead to be the safest community on the island,” Elfassy announced to the crowd.  “Second safest,” chided Nashen, to neighbourly chuckles.

Citizens on Patrol is a movement across North America being provided by more than 75,000 volunteers in hundreds of communities.  They assist local law enforcement and act as observers.  They have regular patrols in marked cars at all hours of day and night and are available to respond to wide scale emergencies.  Click for more information about Hampstead’s MVP, Cote Saint-Luc’s vCOP or the US-based National Association of Citizens on Patrol.

Interesting encounters at the FCM

The annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference was more than sitting through hours of meetings, seminars, guest lectures and reading through miles of documents on municipal infrastructure, environment, finance rules, collective transport, crime prevention and so much more.  The best part was meeting interesting folks from across this great country.  Mayors and Councillors from towns and cities, large and small, each have experiences, success stories and advice galore that they are more than willing to share.       

Councillors Glenn J. Nashen, Dida Berku and Sam Goldbloom meet with NDP leader Jack Layton

The City of Edmonton hosted a reception to familiarize elected officials with their beautiful city and to brag about their upcoming Expo 2017.  City Councillor Karen Leibovici welcomed us and mentioned that she grew up in Montreal and her parents still live in Cote Saint-Luc!

L-R: M. Jacques Kincler, Councillors Sam Goldbloom Karen Leibovici, Dida Berku, Glenn J. Nashen, Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee and (front) Councillor Allan J. Levine

A short 5 hour drive north of Edmonton is Slave Lake, Alberta. where Karina Pillay-Kinnee serves as their delightful mayor.  Karina explained that her council meets three Mondays each month and that almost all discussions take place in public, a rarity for most municipal councils.  Slave Lake is home to about 6,000 people.       

Councillors Sam Goldbloom, Glenn J. Nashen and Ruth Kovac are welcomed to City Hall by Toronto Mayor David Miller

A reception was held at the Hockey Hall of Fame where legendary hockey great Johnny Bower dropped in to pose with an excited group of municipal officials, next to the Stanley Cup.  Bower was a star for 13 seasons and played for the Toronto Maple Leafs among others.  It was my first visit to the Hall of Fame and it was quite evident that no matter what city or town any of us came from in Canada, Hockey was definately a national priority!      

Hockey enthusiast and City Councillor Ruth Kovac meets with Hockey legend Johnny Bower

There was a chance to discuss a few issues among neighbours from the Borough of Cote-des-Neiges-NDG.  Wouldn’t it be mighty neighbourly for the borough to make some improvements along Van Horne to allow West End traffic to more efficiently access Decarie by unblocking some of the new left turn restrictions and by paving the road?       

CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum and CSL City Councillor Dida Berku Councillors Ruth Kovac and Glenn J. Nashen with CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum

The Cote Saint-Luc reps helped re-elect Lachine Borough Mayor Claude Dauphin to the Quebec Caucus of the FCM.  Claude will be joined by St-Laurent Borough Councillor Maurice Cohen, Dorval Mayor Edgar Rouleau and several others at representing Quebec municipalities at the FCM national level.       

Councillors Glenn J. Nashen, Mike Cohen, Ruth Kovac and Sam Goldbloom meet with Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson (centre)

All in all it was an excellent conference and valuable opportunity that will prove beneficial to Cote Saint-Luc and cities across this great nation.  Au revoir from Toronto.       

CSL Councillor Glenn J. Nashen with Mayor Anthony Housefather

Mayor Anthony Housefather with former Councillor Richard Schwartz

Councillor Sam Goldbloom at Toronto City Hall

Councillor Allan Levine at Hockey Hall of Fame

NDP leader Jack Layton with Councillor Dida Berku

CSL to relook at tempo policy

CSL to relook at tempo policy

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban
November 18, 2009

Côte St. Luc will take a new look at its policy restricting temporary garages, after an appeal by resident and former cable TV broadcaster Jay Rubinstein at last week’s city council meeting.

Some municipalities ban or restrict tempos because they are thought to be unsightly. Rubinstein was speaking on behalf of himself and his neighbour, who is recovering from cancer surgery. He also pointed out, “I’ve lived in the same house in Côte St. Luc for 54 years, with a wretched basement garage and whether I hire a snow removal firm or clean the driveway myself, it’s difficult to go up the driveway because of the slippery conditions after a snowfall,” Rubinstein said. “There is no service that will remove the accumulation of snow on the top of the car.

“I am 76-years of age, we have two cars, each parked in the driveways without shelter. There is no solution for us other than to erect a tempo shelter. Concerning the appearance, nothing is uglier than the dirty snow blown on my lawn by the city. This is Montreal, this is Quebec, this is where the snow falls and we need all the help we can get. I am asking to be granted permission immediately, as an exception, to be able to erect it. I really can’t get up the driveway anymore.

Mayor Anthony Housefather said the city does not want tempos for aesthetic and other reasons, but has allowed them since the early 1990s in cases where residents have no garage. The mayor also said that the way the bylaw is written, council does not have the discretion to grant an exemption “for hardship or any other reason. We would have to change the bylaw.

“I can take this as a request for us to review the bylaw, and to see whether or not it should be changed to allow tempos in other circumstances. We will take it under advisement.”

Housefather also told Rubinstein that the bylaw may not be changed, if at all, in time for this winter, as there is a lengthy process involving a notice of motion and draft bylaws at successive council meetings.

Councillor Allan Levine told the meeting that he supports tempos, “even when there is or is not a garage.

“There are certain circumstances that warrant quality of life, especially when it comes to seniors or special vehicles, that a tempo might be necessary.

In my opinion: I was a proponent in the mid-90s to allow CSL homeowners without a garage to erect a tempo during the winter months.  I said then, as I do now, that tempos are, well –  ugly.  On the other hand, many will argue that winter can be rather ugly too – at least in the city.  I do not believe most homeowners in CSL would want to see a proliferation of these tent-like structures on their block.

What’s your opinion?  Please submit your comment below and indicate what street you live on and if you think allowing them everywhere in CSL is a good idea. Forward this blog post to your friends in CSL and ask them to comment too.  City Council will review the bylaw and I will send all comments to the Council for consideration.

CSL council portfolios

CSL council portfolios

The Suburban Newspapers, November 18, 2009

By Joel Goldenberg

Côte St. Luc’s 2009-2013 council may have all the same people as in 2005-2009, but mayor Anthony Housefather announced some changes last week in the portfolios they represent.

Housefather introduced the concept of portfolios for Côte St. Luc when he was first elected mayor in 2005, and the councils of municipalities like Montreal West and Hampstead also assign portfolios to council members, including the mayor. In Côte St. Luc for 2009, some portfolios remain the same, while others have shifted.

In federal and provincial politics, when shuffles take place among ministers, they are usually perceived as being the result of some dissatisfaction with the work of some of the ministers. But councillor Dida Berku says this is not at all the case in Côte St. Luc.

“I think it’s good to refresh the mandate,” she said Thursday. “Everyone was doing a good job. When we’re preparing budgets and priorities, each councillor is fighting for his or her portfolio. If councillors are familiar with more than one portfolio, the councillors are more knowledgeable about all the portfolios.

“It makes sense in terms of serving the public interest for councillors to serve in more than one portfolio, when they advocate. They have a much deeper understanding.”

According to a city statement, Housefather will be responsible for issues related to human resources, legal matters, purchasing, information technology, and for relations with the Agglomeration of Montreal and other levels of government; Berku will be responsible for finance, the Cavendish Mall re-development (along with councillor Ruth Kovac), the environment — including the preservation of Meadowbrook, the implementation of a code of ethics, and the Cavendish Blvd. extension; councillor Mitchell Brownstein will be responsible for parks and recreation and the construction of a hoped-for Intergenerational and Aquatic Centre (with Kovac); and councillor Mike Cohen will be responsible for corporate identity and communication, sponsorship, and inter-community relations.

Also, councillor Steven Erdelyi will be responsible for public works and engineering; councillor Sam Goldbloom will be responsible for the Eleanor London Library and culture; Kovac will be responsible for city planning as chairperson of the planning advisory committee, the Cavendish Mall re-development (with Berku), and Intergenerational and Aquatic Centre (with Brownstein); councillor Allan Levine will be responsible for issues related to seniors, the Royal Canadian Legion, the potential establishment of an English-language public high school by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), the rail yards, the Côte St. Luc Tennis Club, the construction of tennis courts at Rembrandt Park, and a feasibility study on the construction of indoor tennis facilities by the city or in partnership with a third party; and councillor Glenn Nashen will be responsible for issues related to traffic, and public safety — “which includes the EMS first responder service, public security, vCOP (volunteer Citizens on Patrol), emergency preparedness, and fire prevention.”

The more notable shuffles include that of Erdelyi, who used to be responsible for library issues; Goldbloom, who used to be responsible for traffic and seniors; Levine, who used to be responsible for town planning and Cavendish Mall’s redevelopment; Brownstein, who used to be responsible for public works; and Kovac, who used to be responsible for recreation.

Berku said it was decided to merge traffic with the public safety portfolio.

“Contrary to what they appear to be, such as traffic, it is a very heavy portfolio and very demanding. We decided to put it together with public security, because it’s always the same players — police, public security — so they might as well all do it at the same time.” She added that the code of ethics portfolio is new to council.

“The mayor decided it was time to have one,” he said.

Sworn In

This evening the Mayor and Council of the City of Cote Saint-Luc were sworn into office for a four year mandate.  Joined by family and friends, the Members of Council each took the Oath of Office administered by City Clerk Jonathan Shecter.

L to R: Councillors Glenn J. Nashen, Ruth Kovac, Mike Cohen, Steven Erdelyi, Sam Goldbloom, Allan J. Levine, Mitchell Brownstein, Dida Berku and Mayor Anthony Housefather

The oath is an affirmation to faithfully serve the residents of the city.  Mayor Housefather welcomed the invited guests indicating that this Council will continue to do its best to make Cote Saint-Luc one of the best cities in all of Canada.  “We are fortunate to live in a city where our neighbours speak several languages, practice different religions, come from countries all over the world, and we live together in great harmony,” he said.

Councillor Glenn J. Nashen takes oath of office

As Councillor for District 6, the district where I have spent most of my life, I am honoured to be returned to office for a fifth mandate and to continue my service on behalf of my constituents.  This is a labour of passion for my residents, my district, my city and for providing excellent services, especially those involving public safety.

I extend great appreciation to my electors, my campaign team and family.  I must single out my wife, Judy Hagshi, the best campaign manager anyone could ask for.  Thankfully, Judy has been on maternity leave these past several months, a perfect arrangement for campaign organzining.

Nashen clan celebrates. L to R: Barry, George, Glenn, Judy, Phyllis, Stan, Franci, Kate Brecher and Nicole and Nathalie

 

Mayor Anthony Housefather signs the oath

Cllr. Glenn J. Nashen and Hampstead Mayor Bill Steinberg congratulate each other

Celebrating with Leslie & Ricki Fabian and Cookie & Bernie Band

  

Swearing-in ceremony / Cérémonie d’assermentation from CSL TV on Vimeo.