By Francine Bastien

Alan Gauthier is a lifelong resident of Brome Lake. He was a municipal councillor (2003–2007) responsible for urbanism. He was involved in several organizations including the local Merchants Association and, for the past 20 years, he is the owner of the Athletica Gym in Knowlton.

Alan Gauthier is running for mayor to “reinforce the concept of community. We’re a community of old values of acceptance and openness. Community is our environment.” This is what he strongly believes and wants to reaffirm in TBL.

Stronger Zoning Controls

Gauthier’s platform states the need to prevent overdevelopment, maintain neighbourhood charm and natural beauty. “There is too much ambiguity in our bylaws that people can circumvent.” To remedy the situation, he would increase the number of inspections on construction sites so there would be “no buildings in Knowlton like those of Taschereau Boulevard [on Montreal’s South Shore],” a reference to the new apartment blocks across from the IGA.

“For large projects, permits should be issued in steps and come with much stricter implementation.”

Gauthier advocates a slower progression to ascertain compliance with the bylaws throughout the construction process. To do that, there is no need for more inspectors but rather to “make sure those that are in place do their job… and make them more accountable to us.”

How will he enforce that? “It takes someone with courage,” he says, noting that none of the other candidates running for mayor seem to have a plan. “Good enough is not good enough anymore,” Gauthier says. “It’s a tight rope to walk at times, but we must elevate the discussion so that people have a sense of confidence in their administration. Democracy by intimidation? Not under my watch!”

Stiff Fines for Environmental Breaches

A Gauthier administration would adopt a bylaw to set a minimum fine of 5% of municipal property evaluation for all environmental violations, plus corrective action. In the case of repeat offenders, the fine would climb to 10% of the municipal evaluation. The money collected from the fines would be used to fund environmental projects.

Is there a need for more town employees to monitor the environment? No, the administration would retrain the staff now in place and hold them more accountable.

No Increase in Taxes Beyond Inflation

Alan Gauthier promises to encourage a more vibrant community life, more sports programs, more festivals, markets, cultural events, promote affordable housing, subsidize breakfast programs in schools, etc.

Does that mean increasing taxes?

“No, we have surpluses. Instead of buying another truck, we could decide, for example, that breakfast programs is a priority. We could decide not to throw money at other organizations. Review our priorities.”

Affordable housing is a social responsibility, and public money should go towards it. However, at this time, Gauthier could not put a percentage on the amount he would devote to that priority.

Rapid-Fire Questions

On major infrastructure projects:
The Pettes Library expansion? “Yes.”
New firehall? “No, it needs rethinking.”

TBL a bilingual town? “Yes.”

He adds: “I would relocate the farmers’ market to the downtown core, in Coldbrook Park.”

“Our community first” would be the mantra of a Gauthier administration.

Giving the hamlets more of a voice and “always give TBL residents a priority in all our projects.”