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Published in The Regional January 15, 2010

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Published in The Review January 15, 2010:

Brownsburg-Chatham citizens demand new library


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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. » "