Happy Holidays

Thank you once again to everyone who came to our family’s home on November 25th for our annual tree lighting event, and who so generously brought bags of non-perishable items to donate to the West Island Mission. This year’s turnout was especially strong.

2023 ends with me reflecting on the past year and being thankful for my own good health and the support of a loving family and good friends. My wife Sandra continues to work in the recycled flexible packaging industry, and our daughter Calista, a pediatric nurse at the Shriners Children’s Hospital, is simultaneously pursuing her Master’s Degree in Nursing.

November was a big month for our family, as Calista moved out into her own home with Hewson, her two-year-old Golden Retriever. We are thrilled with her independence and success. Calista’s boyfriend, Nick, also has a dog – Addie, a St. Bernard, and the two get along so well.

Those of you who know me know that I have always enjoyed staying connected with people, the news, events and the whole community around me – and 2023 was no exception. I have remained actively involved by supporting activities that help others. A personal passion of mine is cooking. I love to cook, not only for my own family and friends but for others within our community and beyond. I enjoy supporting and cooking for the homeless in Cabot Square, an initiative led by some amazing volunteers: Tracy Del Vecchio of Beaconsfield and Raquel Navarrete of Pointe-Claire who oversee the distribution of meals prepared by other volunteers. Among local activities, I really enjoy being part of the team that cooks meals for the residents of the seniors home at 35 Maywood Avenue, just across from the Pointe-Claire Aquatic Centre. I think my passion for cooking is based on the idea that food brings people together. And being able to grow my own produce adds to my enjoyment of food and cooking for others.

From June through September, some of the ingredients for these meals came from my own back garden. This year, my thumb was particularly green. I know a lot of people were disappointed with how heavy rains and persistent moisture damaged their tomato plants, but my beefsteak and cherry tomatoes were mercifully spared from tomato blight.

And as a former florist owner and designer, I enjoy being creative. Earlier this fall, I was happy to donate some time to help Sylvie Daigle create the intricate floral arrangements that brightened this year’s Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation’s fundraising gala in October. The event raised $630,000 for the hospital’s emergency department. The gala coincided with news that Lakeshore will finally get a new ER wing in 2028. The modernization will begin with the installation of a prefabricated modular building that will serve as a temporary measure. I am really excited about this new development for our community.

Our family enjoys being outdoors and in our beautiful City of Pointe-Claire we benefit from the tremendous variety of recreational facilities that have been put in place over the years to enjoy our city. We especially enjoy the artificial ice hockey rink in Valois Park along with the artificial ice skating oval in the Pointe-Claire Village, both installed in October 2021. These are wonderful additions that have helped to enhance the community’s vitality in the winter. I personally am very proud to have been part of these two ice rink additions during my time as Mayor. Today, more and more communities are installing similar facilities.

Living on Lakeshore Road at the entrance to the Village, I see all the constant changes, the comings and the goings. Unfortunately, some business owners in and around the Village have closed in 2023, but new businesses have opened and are opening, and the commercial life of the Village is moving forward, reflecting new trends and realities.

Please do what you can to support our merchants in the Village, on Lakeshore Road, in Valois, as well as local businesses in Pointe-Claire wherever they are. We are fortunate to have so many people who are willing to give their time, money, and labour to help their neighbours and the larger community around them. To all of you who have stepped up and helped make a difference in 2023, thank you.

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2024.