Francine Bastien
Lee Patterson Enters the Race for Mayor of Town of Brome Lake
With municipal elections set for November 2 in over 1,100 Quebec municipalities, Tempo will be profiling mayoral candidates in Town of Brome Lake (TBL), West Bolton, St-Étienne, East Bolton, and Brome.
In Town of Brome Lake, Lee Patterson, councillor for the Knowlton–Victoria district since 2013, is officially stepping into the mayoral race following Mayor Richard Burcombe’s decision not to run again.
A familiar face in local politics, Patterson brings a background in communications, management, and new technologies, and deep family roots in the area—his great-grandfather Kenneth Patterson also served as a municipal councillor in Knowlton.
Top Priorities: Bringing the Strategic Plan to Life
“Implementing the strategic plan will be a major challenge. We have to bring it to life,” says Patterson.
At the heart of the plan is a redesign of the town centre, a move that will affect other hamlets as well. He emphasizes the need to control the type of housing being developed, noting that over 80% of Lac-Brome’s housing stock is single-family homes.
“I advocate for gentle densification in urban cores to support businesses and restaurants, as requested by residents.”
Zoning and Planning: Stronger Standards for Developers
Controversial multi-unit developments along Knowlton Road have sparked debate in recent months. Patterson notes that not all areas were previously subject to full planning regulations—but that has now changed.
“I intend to subject contractors to more stringent standards regarding financial responsibility before permits are granted. We’re seeing scenarios—like quick flips of land or buildings after permits are secured—that our current bylaws don’t anticipate. That needs to be addressed.”
Bylaw Enforcement: Smarter, Not Just More
The most common criticism Patterson hears is about bylaw enforcement. His response?
“To fully enforce every regulation, we’d have to double the number of inspectors. But is it really necessary to send someone to inspect a shed? I’d prefer to reduce administrative burdens, improve ground presence, and use new technologies to better track citizen requests.”
Major Projects on the Horizon
- Pettes Memorial Library Expansion: “As a descendant of the Pettes family, this project is close to my heart. We have a unique library, and the town must find ways to support its success.”
- Knowlton Road Infrastructure Repairs: Planned for 2026–2027, between Lakeside and Maple. Patterson suggests burying electrical wires should be considered.
- New Fire Station: To be located on Victoria Street, on land currently being expropriated from the duck farm.
- Pumping Station Upgrades: Less glamorous but crucial, says Patterson. “This is necessary to prevent overflows into Brome Lake.”
Tackling Incivility in Public Discourse
“Since my election, I’ve noticed growing aggressiveness in how some citizens interact with the Town.”
He draws a line:
“Requests made aggressively or abusively won’t be addressed. Town employees deserve a respectful work environment. Decorum starts at council.”
What Makes a Good Mayor?
“Richard [Burcombe] taught me wisdom, listening, and patience. It’s more effective than confrontation. That’s why I still love what I do.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.