"This Is An
Exciting Time For Valley East"
States Councillor Ron Dupuis
Ward 3 Councillor, Ron Dupuis, who is shown
sitting at his desk, speaks optimistically when talking about the future
of Valley East, "These are exciting times for Valley East. The 128
bed long-term health care facility being developed at the corner of
Frappier Rd. and Main Street will create 135 jobs later on this year;
Dalron will soon begin his senior lifestyle community behind the Val
East Mall; we will be turning the town hall into a medical centre before
long; and we have a gorgeous industrial park which will continue to be
expanded."
Dupuis has found his first year as Councillor for Ward 3 of the City
of Greater Sudbury very challenging but rewarding at the same time.
"The calls from the constituents are much more complex than
before," cited Dupuis when outlining his workload. "We used to
get calls from a single ward in Valley East about local municipal
concerns, but now, we get calls from New Sudbury to Hanmer, dealing with
items that were once considered regional in nature."
"I think being accessible to the public is critical,"
explained Dupuis when asked about the increase in the rate of phone
calls. "I wouldn’t have it any other way. When a person has a
problem, I want to hear from him and do what I can to help him. Today we
all have cell phones, lap tops and email. It is easy to get hold of us.
I spend a lot of time each day answering email."
Dupuis feels that the continuation of the Economic Development
Committee will go a long way to encouraging development in Valley East.
The recreation rates and user fees will be frozen for the current year
and Valley East will remain a priority for future development.
When asked how he felt representing so many people, Dupuis responded,
"It is true that we represent 28,000 people in our ward, but when
you sit in the Council Chambers you have to go in with an open mind and
remember that you are representing each and every member of this large
community. If we approve a large development in Sudbury, it means that
some of those jobs will go to people living in Valley East and some of
the people will buy houses in Valley East. You have to look at each
issue closely and do what is best for the entire community - not just
your own ward."
Dupuis generated a bit of controversy in the debate over the Greater
Sudbury Utilities by voting in favour of a motion calling for an inquiry
into the actions taken by Mayor Jim Gordon.
"Councillor Davey and I were the only two councillors who voted
in favour of that motion, not because we thought that Jim Gordon had
done anything wrong, but because we wanted to clear the air once and for
all," explained Dupuis. "Many people still have unanswered
questions and want further investigation. I felt that the inquiry would
absolve not only Jim Gordon, but also myself and my other colleagues.
After all, whatever the Mayor does reflects on all of us."
The cost of the inquiry was pegged at between $750,000 and $1
million, but critics of the Mayor suggested that the estimate was
greatly exaggerated.
As for the future of Valley East, now a major portion of Ward 3 in
the City of Greater Sudbury, if enthusiasm is contagious, Ron Dupuis and
Louise Portelance have a great chance of convincing everyone that Valley
East is the place to be!
