Let's Look at Numbers

Mayor Georges Dinel told local media that the annual budget of the library monopolized $160,000, as if that amount was so exorbitant. And if we replaced the figure in context?

The budget for 2010 distributed with our tax bill reported total disbursements of $8,470,021. The sum of $160,000 thus represents 1.89% of municipal expenditures. So, for a population of 6788 people *, the library costs $23.57 annually per capita.

The average public spending in the province of Québec has been $25 per capita, while it exceeded $33 in Ontario**. Target standards in Québec is $30 per person. When we translate these figures in terms of percentage of municipal budget, we see that the difference is slight. And yet it has an impact on the quality of life and the attraction of new families.

The proposed relocation of the library in the Roussel house would cost $250,000 to the City thanks to government subsidies, according to the current city council. We're talking about capital assets, which is to say expenditures which are not included in the annual budget allocated to the library. If we divide that amount by the population of 6788, this represents a single disbursement of $36.83 per capita in order to have a library that we can be proud of. Is that asking too much?

No municipal budget will ever be important enough for each expenditure item. We'll always want more beautiful roads, sports facilities of higher quality, better snow removal ... The question is not whether to increase taxes, but to prioritize. There comes a time when we must make the choice to provide services to the advantage of the entire city when its population will be happy to live there and that it will attract new residents, thus additional tax payers. The library is often the most important cultural service in a municipality. It should also be in our town. Over 15 years of waiting is enough!

* Number taken in the annual report for 2008-2009 Réseau BIBLIO.

** Baillargeon, Jean-Paul. Plaidoyer pour une bibliothèque culturelle -- Dix défis à relever, Montréal, ASTED Publishing, 2007.

Taking Advantage of Our Uniqueness 2/3

Louis Pelletier, a general contractor specializing in built heritage, came to share his passion and experience with us January 19, 2010. This is the second part of his lecture's account.


Each community in Québec is unique, bearing the imprint left by the people who forged it. At Brownsburg-Chatham, we can be proud to have a large number of old houses, many of which reflect wealth. We find in our area buildings in pink granite, black granite stone and even Scotish brick. Remarkably, according to Mr. Pelletier, we could easily take the slogan "Brownsburg-Chatham, a string of churches." The Protestant heritage has indeed left almost as many places of worship as families. Moreover, our geographic terrain between the river and mountains, made up of undulating valleys, dotted with rivers and meandering streams, offers a potential for tourism that we should develop to our advantage.

The Roussell house: Brownsburg-Chatham's Chateau Frontenac 

The Roussell house, says Pelletier, represents the landmark, the point of interest to showcase our city, as is the Chateau Frontenac in Québec City. Its location at the crossroads makes it stand out. Think of it in its best attire and cleaned up... It will attract the eye like a beacon in the night.

Inside, visitors will be charmed and amazed by the presence of two coal fireplaces with wrought iron. This house also has several other advantages, which deserve to be valued.

Restoring takes so little

Restoring a building can increase costs by 5% of a standard renovation budget and rarely exceeds 15% in cases where we might exaggerate. A square box can become a building of interest if we add a balcony, heads of chassis, if we put back the crown, the corner blocks ("aissellières").

Mr. Pelletier has shown us examples of buildings all of little interest... to the untrained eye. With a budget of $ 10 000, we can achieve small miracles. According to the expert, it is much cheaper to return to the origins of the building and restore it than to rebuild it.

Our downtown could make the envy of any municipality that has historical sector, and could even be worthy of Old Québec. Everything is there and awaiting to be developed.

In the coming days: Where are you from? Or the pride of our hometown

Built Heritage: A Profitable Investment -- The example of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts 1/3

Louis Pelletier, a general contractor specializing in built heritage, came to share his passion and experience with us January 19, 2010. Here is, in three parts, an account of his lecture.

The first project that Mr. Pelletier worked on was a veterinary clinic with whom he was dealing. He was convinced that restoring  to its former glory the building which had became vanilla over time, the clinic would increase its credibility and therefore its customers. The future would prove him right, since the vet has actually tripled its turnover after restoration.

More examples will support this state of fact. Honestly, what bouiboui will attract customers as would a historic estate with a beautiful terrace? The built heritage is a major tourist attraction throughout the Laurentian region, home to a veritable medley of buildings, which adds to the mountainous terrain typical of the region. The town of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts has now an excellent reputation, because it has found again its true old charm and thus impresses tourists. The electric wires are now buried, they changed the streetlights,  built parks, renovated landscaping. It makes a pleasant place to visit and to live in. (Interestingly, 80% to 90% of buildings in the city center of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts lack parking spaces. This does not preclude the place to be alive.)

Creating a sense of belonging among youth

Each restored building creates a ripple effect, nourrishes residents' pride, attracts the confidences of witnesses who come to offer with emotions pictures, which will enrich a unique historical photo collection. Indeed, Mr. Pelletier boasts a collection of old photographs rivaling those of Montréal and Québec City. The citizens of Ste-Agathe, now attached to their heritage, are now vigilant against any development that could threaten the integrity of historic places. High school students have taken the initiative to recreate the main street of their city in the corridor at their school. The murals show youngsters riding on skateboards in front of historic buildings. They are accompanied by old photographs with anecdotes. The school management had no choice but to submit the artwork to Essor*, which the students have won.

* To know what the price Essor: http://www.mcccf.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=2022

In the coming days: Taking advantage of Our Uniqueness

Quote

"In many cities in Québec, the public library is now the most important cultural investment and is at the heart of cultural politics. A study by l'Observatoire de la culture et des communications showed that in 2004 the eleven cities over 100 000 inhabitants, Montréal, Québec, Laval, Gatineau, Lévis, Longueuil, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, which comprise 52% of the population of Québec, spent 7.2% of their expenditure on culture, meaning 371.2 million dollars ($ 93 per capita). Public libraries accounted for 46% of the budgets allocated to culture. « Les Arts et la Ville* » is now more than a slogan and a shared goal of municipal leaders **. "

Excerpt of Bibliothèques publiques au Québec: une institution stratégique pour le développement culturel by Marcel Lajeunesse; Bulletin des Bibliothèques de France , Paris, 2009, t. 54, no 3. 

To read full text:

http://bbf.enssib.fr/consulter/bbf-2009-03-0064-004


* « Les Arts et la Ville », nonprofit organization founded in 1987, joins the municipalities (currently 423 municipalities) and the cultural organisations (129 cultural organizations) to promote and support cultural and artistic development of municipalities in Quebec .



** Rapport de l'Observatoire de la Culture et des Communications du Québec , cited in Le Devoir (Montréal), February 16, 2007.

Press

Published in Le Progrès on January 22, 2010. Click on photo to enlarge and read.

"Une triste histoire de livres"

Excerpt from a text of François Jobin published in the magazine Traces of January 2010. To read the full article (in French), click on the title of this message.

The new administration says it is not opposed in principle to a library, but the mayor is adamant: not in the Rousselle house.  First reason: the building does not bear the weight of books, wacky reason for anyone who has looked at the specifications for the project. Second reason: the lack of parking nearby, (the Rousselle house's courtyard Roussel, if amputed of a recent extension, can accommodate several cars in addition to municipal parking within fifty meters). Third reason: security. The building is located at the intersection of Main Street and des Érables, a busy intersection but fitted with stops at the four corners. From Brownsbourgeois' memory, there has never been an accident involving a pedestrian at the intersection.

And then we have other priorities, sewer, paving etc ....

When being told that culture is an asset that counts as much as asphalt and pipe, the mayor nods but adds in the same breath that he recently received two e-mails full of spelling mistakes "then the culture here You know.... " Autrement dit, la population s'en tamponne de la culture. In other words, the population doesn't care about culture. Culture is for gardens.

Some of us thought this mentality that holds the culture for a luxury that we can do without had worn out. Fifty years ago, it was comprehensible: our agricultural and factory society, less educated, thought mainly of survival. Today, do we have any excuse to use this kind of argument? Especially since the Laurentians now display the largest population growth in the province due to urban sprawl. Newcomers expect to find in their adopted village the same services as in the city they left behind, including cultural facilities. In Brownsburg-Chatham, the administration intends to keep the library where it is for one year, two years at the most. It would, however, have expressed a desire to reduce opening hours and eliminate one of three librarian positions to meet its campaign promise "not to waste your taxes." It is also trying to convince a private hockey school to settle in the village and share the costs of a library that would serve both students and the public. What interest would such an institution have to maintain in its building a public service of which hours and staff do not match hers? Go figure.

And in response to the article:

A big thanks to Mr. François Jobin, for his essay "une triste histoire de livres" The pride he has for his city is reflected in its text.

Here is my story;

I settled permanently in the pretty village of Brownsburg-Chatham in June 2009. I first met this mountain village, in summer 2007. I fell under the spell of its small streets that reminded me my childish imagination ; race buggy, toboggan runs, mini ski, slide etc.. The unevenness of the latter is quite exceptional. At this time, I feel that there is a new start, projects in the air, immersed, myself, a new citizen, am interested in novelty, my love who is today my husband, settled in the small mountain village. First thing I do! Visit the library.

Oops! A library for me is a symbol of identity for a city, a village, a region!  Upon entering, I feel no physical heat, the air is cold and wet though I note that the librarians do their utmost to make this peaceful and cozy, I see that the physical location outweighs the rest. The straight wooden chairs, like in school, are found around small desks. A smell of ice arena prevails, there are shoutings coming across the walls that separate us from the arena, I do not believe that this is the library's permanent location. I have not returned since.

Since 2008, I saw positive changes in downtown, I feel an excitement, dilapidated buildings fall, new buildings appear, concrete projects are surfacing. Hurray! My new city will again become finally a real city, as I have been told it was. Small cafes, small restaurant, new shops, a beautiful library (municipal). I see in my childish imagination, at the entrance of the city, a sign stating in golden letters of gold, "the library is proud to welcome to its new premises ..!!!! Will this vision turn out one day? Not so long ago I could believe it but now I can only hope for it. Unfortunately, I remain without an answer.

The population of Brownsburg-Chatham is entitled to an ideal management, comfortable, warm and cultural for young families who settle there .. An inviting city is a city that attracts new investors. Let's stop seeing it as an expenditure but an investment. Remember, Mr. Dinel, that fear-mongering does not affect me

P / S: I am writing this knowing full well that Mr. Dinel will judge my mistakes rather than the meaning of my text. Despite this, I have the courage to brave his judgments. I invite people to do the same. Do not be impressed by wrong judgments, even if they come from a mayor ..


Hélène Boivin

Reading is Fun

Reading with Munsch at Global Toronto.

Click on present message title to see video extract.

Reading Skills - Community's Importance

Excerpt from Disadvantaged neighborhoods set children's reading skills on negative course

The researchers say it's possible that the socioeconomic conditions of children's early residential neighbourhoods exert a strong effect later because acquiring reading skills involves the collective efforts of parents, educators, family friends and community members, as well as access to good schools, libraries, after-school programs and bookstores.


"Sadly, our findings demonstrate the lasting effect of neighbourhood poverty on children's reading comprehension - highlighting that children's literacy is not simply an important issue for parents, but also for community leaders and policy makers alike," Lloyd says.

To read full article, click on current message title.

Press

Published in The Regional January 15, 2010

(Click on image to enlarge and read the text)

Published in The Review January 15, 2010:

Brownsburg-Chatham citizens demand new library


Top Stories
Brownsburg-Chatham
Tara Kirkpatrick

According to those most dedicated to the cause, it's a matter of securing the future of a community through the preservation of its heritage.

On Thursday, January 7, 30 residents of Brownsburg-Chatham held a press conference to protest the decision of municipal council to halt the construction of a new library at the corner of Principale Street and Chemin des Erables.

"It's been too long that the municipality has been promising us a larger library and better services. We have a strong, clear message for the municipality demanding that they make the library a priority," said François Jobin, a member of the Brownsburg-Chatham citizen coalition dedicated to lobbying for a new library.

Last October, the former Brownsburg-Chatham council announced its intention to begin construction of a new library within a 100-year-old brick storefront that was once home to a barbershop and general store. The 'Rousseau house,' as the building is commonly referred to, was slated for a complete renovation to be completed by the end of 2010. The renovation plans anticipated the removal of the gallery and rear of the building, a complete renovation of the interior, and the creation of a library and internet café.

Brownsburg-Chatham purchased the Rousseau building for about $150,000 as part of a $1.2 million deal to buy six buildings in the downtown core. Renovation costs were estimated at nearly one million dollars, half of which would have been paid for using a grant from the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications with the remainder paid by the municipality through dividends accrued from the sale of the Régie Inter-Municipale garbage dump.

The plans to renovate the Rousseau building were terminated due to security concerns, under the current administration. According to Brownsburg-Chatham Mayor Georges Dinel, the proximity of the Rousseau building to a major intersection and the lack of parking pose significant safety and traffic risks.

"Right now, it is the location of the library that is a problem," noted Jobin. "The town is sold on the concept of one, but is unclear on the location."

The coalition is proposing that council rethink its decision to halt renovations on the Rousseau house. Coalition members stated that the Rousseau location is an ideal site for their future library, as it represents the history of the village. Furthermore, it encourages families to invest in a village that has something to offer them; it is central to the downtown core; and accessible to the population.

"Security issues often come up, yet the grocery store and bank next door [to the Rousseau building] seem to be a non-issue," said coalition member Kathleen Wilson. "If this sector is so dangerous then it could be dealt with by reinstalling crossing lights at the corner."

Dinel has proposed merging a new municipal library with the hockey school that is slated to break ground in Brownsburg-Chatham and he has also suggested researching new sites for construction.

"The town has proposed putting the library in the hockey school, while assuming that a private school will not only agree to this plan, but that it will eventually be built and this plan will work," Jobin said, adding: "In the history of Quebec, mixing public libraries with schools is a difficult one. Placing this library in a private prep school makes this situation even more difficult."

The municipality and the citizens' coalition have both expressed that the current library is now insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Located within the Brownsburg-Chatham Hockey Arena, the library is small and lacking in books, working space, bathrooms and conference space.

"The needs of a library have changed in the 15-or-so years since this one was built. A library is now more than a place to pick up a book. It's a place to hold conferences, meet with authors, use the internet and even pass a few hours reading newspapers and drinking coffee," said Jobin.

Added Wilson: "When I met with Mayor Dinel he told me that the grant is available for this specific project and that we would have to reinitiate the grant process for a new plan. Mayor Dinel told me to my face that if I want to go to a good library then I should go to Lachute. I told him that it was his duty as mayor to provide this service here."


Published in L'Argenteuil January 5, 2010:

Citizens want their library

stephane.lajoie@eap.on.ca

Brownsburg-Chatham - A coalition of citizens of Brownsburg-Chatham will present Thursday, January 7 at 7 pm at the Art Gallery Workshop on des Érable Street, its action plan to revive the draft library former House Rousselle.

Before  the elections sweeping last November, the team Bourgault intended to give its stamp of yesterday at the House Rouselle and accommodate a new library on two floors.

The project of hundreds of thousands of dollars was quickly scrapped by the new council and Mayor George Dinel.

"This is simply not a good place for a library, explained the mayor in December. The Principale is a very busy street and parking would be insufficient. In addition, the project would cost the eyes of the head. We prefer to see in what direction the development of housing downtown will go over the next year before we embark on such a project. » "

The "We deserve better" coalition disagrees with the decision and met with the City Council December 16 to make his point. The grouping of a dozen citizens, which includes the President of the Cultural Society Pavilion Gardens, Maurice Rochon, does not go to war against the municipal government, but rather start the debate on the public square.

 "The project of Principale Street was already a compromise draft. It's been 15 years since the councils throw the ball and nothing gets done," said Maurice Rochon. Meanwhile, the current library is too small and the population can not fully enjoy it. As for Rousselle's House, an architectural building which character is more than interesting, what will we do with it? "

The coalition wants the library project to be a catalyst for the renovation of the built heritage of the region.

"By locating the library in the Rousselle house , it retains one of our heritage buildings and renovations are used to something useful, such as culture and education," says Maurice Rochon.

 Another coalition member, Cynthia Dubé posted in December a blog (Citbrownsburg-chatham.blogspot.com) to advance the cause and attract the attention of citizens.

"The library is a leading player in the development of interest in reading among children. These (and all of us, actually) need a place beautiful, lively, warm, comfortable and big, with a profusion of books to discover, by looking, touching, "she wrote in a letter published in the November 21 edition of the Progrès. "So, you have rejected the proposed library. Reassure me, is it just a matter of good management or are you simply insensitive to the importance of culture? » "

According to Maurice Rochon, the coalition must file a formal complaint to the City this week for a new schedule of the library project.

"I invite people to the Workshop January 7 to discuss the situation," he concluded. Whether you are for or against, this is not the issue. We need people involved for the future of our place and make their voices heard. Let's move. » "

Coalition's Demands to City Council

In a letter delivered to City Council last January 5, We Deserve Better Coalition stated the following demands:


We ask you to take all necessary  measures to ensure that our library is relocated into the Roussell house and that users can access it in autumn 2010.

We ask that our library be better equipped and given sufficient human resources.

We expect a positive response from you within a month (beginning of February 2010).

Thank you for your attention and we assure you of our collaboration in this project to relocate our library.

Heritage Building - A Concerned Citizen

Here is an opinion sent to the coalition by email:

Thank you for filling me in on some of the goings on in our town. Even though I am not completely up to date I have a strong interest in what has been done and what is needed to be done. In fact I am one who wishes that the old club house was still standing. It is odd that heritage values were far from anyones mind back when it was torn down. In all honesty I'm sure if you polled the population in the town regarding heritage the results would astound you. It seems that the subject of the past being something to save is held by a very small percentage of the townfolk.


That being said, whatever the wants are must be needed, justified, and affordable.It would appear to me that when anyone is proposing whatever, the viability must be considered in order to keep the lid on overspending.

We are not at the stage where we need a library as we have one allbeit it needs upgrading I probably would agree (allthough I have never been in the place).

While the heritage house is there and should be saved , placing the priorities must justify the costs and availability of funds. To answer the querry as to the degree of interest in " Heritage Values " in the area I would suggest a SAVE OUR HERITAGE donation program to raise some if not all that is needed.

We all agree that the town has been neglected in a big way over time and the decision to tear down it's core is questionable and one big headache that must be placed on the things to do list soon. It would also help if the entire population was given up to date information on why things were done, what plans were made to replace what was torn down, what costs would be incurred, the timetable to see it through and the priorities given to each step. Not everyone is able to go to council or information meetings. The new town administration must be given a chance to come up with plans for the renewal of what once was a quaint Laurentian village and we as members of the town must continue to press for answers. I for one would like to have an up to date report of what the plans were by the previous council and what is expected by the present group. Plans, schedules, anticipated costs and balances would give most interested people the chance to agree or disagree on what the new group is up to and also to side with spin-off groups such as yours.

I know you and the other members of your group have good intentions and I wish you well in doing what you need to do.

I just wish I was able to be of more help to you all, and YES I am behind you to save the heritage buildings and make our townfolk insist on having our town council accountable for decisions made.

I wish you total success

Frank Jackson,
born and raised in Brownsburg-Chatham

Event - Architectural Heritage Conference

The importance of architerctural heritage
Conference by Mr. Louis Pelletier

Louis Pelletier is a Carpenter, general contractor and is passionated by architectrual heritage. He is involved through different committees, conducts conferences and likes to convey his passion to young people in schools. Residing in Val-David, he says he loves the Laurentians, a real "salade macédoine de bâtiments". Over the years, Mr. Pelletier was able to restore several buildings, including the rectory of St. Agathe-des-Monts, to their original architectural appearance.

Today, Louis Pelletier can boasts an important and respected cultural past with his concrete achievements, captivating lectures, stories of a unique past and a photo collection mounted in collaboration with several stakeholders that have rallied in this mission.

Come hear him at L'Atelier

Tuesday, January, 19th  at 19:00

338A, des Érables ♦ Brownsburg-Chatham

450-407-0548 ♦ 450-533-5469

Press Conference

The Coalition members meet with local press Thursday, January 7th, 2009 to announce the creation of this blog and the holding of a conference on the arcitectural heritage by Mr. Louis Pelletier. Watch local newspapers!

Follow up: about 30 citizens showed up on one day's notice!