CFN– We are asking all candidates to fill out our mini survey so the public can get to know them better.
First up is long time Cornwall Councillor Andre Rivette.
Councillor Andre Rivette
1) 1) Who are you?
I was first elected to Cornwall City Council in 1998 where I served two terms. I was then re-elected in 2006. In 2010, I was re-elected for a fourth term of Council and I presently sits on a number of Boards.
I have been married to my wife Susan for 45 years. We have two children, Rodney and Tracey, and two granddaughters named Alex and Anna
2) Why are you running for office?
I think my experience serving our community with 17 years in municipal operation as Park Supervisor and the honour of serving the residents of Cornwall for 14 years as a City Councillor… I understand the needs and wants of the taxpayers in Cornwall…..The taxpayers in Cornwall want more Transparency and Accountability on how their city tax dollars are spent.
3) What are the three best things about our community?
A safe community, a Caring Community and a growing community.
4) What are your three priorities to improve Cornwall?
The top issue a new council must tackle in the next four years is to find efficiencies to address high taxes. The only way to stabilize or reduce taxes in the next four years is to address the operating costs for Fire, Police and Ambulance which accounts for over 50 % of the city operating budget. The Provincial government must address the arbitrator’s awarding settlements without considering the municipality ability to pay. This in itself would go a long way to help in reducing taxes without cutting services.
Economic Development should be more aggressive in the promotion the city in the Quebec Market where new companies are looking to move their businesses out of Quebec. All departments must remember that we are in the customer service business.
Better communication…When taxpayers request answers in regards to municipal operations or request for service we should do everything in our power to assist them in getting the information or help fill documents required in regards to permits and or other documents that need to be completed and looking to bringing better paying jobs in our community.
5) Who was your hero as a child?
Roy Rogers
6) If you could brand the Cornwall of the future in one word what would that word be?
PROGGRESIVE !!
André Rivette is a mighty good man and I knew André since my childhood including his family. They are very good people. I did not know his wife and kids but I knew André and his brothers and sisters. This is a hard working and honest family and when André says something he does not beat around the bush but tells you like it is. André would be one of the people that I wold re-elect. I would like to see Mark A. MacDonald in since he works tirelessly for Cornwall as well. Maurice Dupelle is a good worker and should be re-elected. Gerry Samson cares for the regular people and yes I think that Gerry should be re-elected even though he is weak he is good to have around. It is Bare Ass who knocks Gerry down at every turn and you can see the smerks coming from Bare Ass which is a total embarrassment. Again André is a great man and we go back all the way from the beginning of elementary school and then some. All the best to you André.