Simon Roy. Photo Courtesy

Tête-à-têtes with your local elected officials

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Ayer’s Cliff is gearing up for significant changes under the leadership of Mayor Simon Roy. In a July 15 interview, Roy shared his journey, the town’s current projects, and his vision for the future. With a blend of personal anecdotes and detailed plans, Roy paints a picture of a community on the brink of transformation.

Background and early life

Born in Sherbrooke, Roy has deep roots in the region. “I was born here at the [CHUS],” he says, reminiscing about his early years. He lived there until he was around 22 to 24 years old. After completing his education, including a PhD in Ottawa, Roy returned to Sherbrooke, where he has been a professor at the University of Sherbrooke for over two decades.

“I did my law degree in Sherbrooke, then I did my master’s at Quebec. I stayed in Quebec for like four years, five years. Then I went to Ottawa to do my PhD, and when I was about 30, I got a job at the university, so I came back here,” he explained. His connection to the area and his professional background have provided a solid foundation for his role as mayor.

A chance mayoral run

Roy’s journey to becoming mayor was somewhat serendipitous. He recounted, “The [Director General] at the time… called me and asked me to be a volunteer for the election. I initially declined because it coincided with Halloween, an important day for my kids.”

However, two weeks later, no one had stepped up to run for mayor. “I decided to do it because my wife was the [Director General] of Canton de Hatley for five years. I had a pretty good understanding of the municipal scene around the lake,” Roy explained. His commitment to the community and a desire to bring stability and fresh ideas to the town council drove him to take on the role.

Challenges and opportunities

Ayer’s Cliff faces several challenges, but Roy is optimistic about the town’s future. Financially, the town has seen improvements. “When I came in, we had about a 7 per cent reserve. Now we’re getting close to 24 per cent, which is a lot more comfortable,” Roy noted. This financial stability is crucial for undertaking significant projects without overburdening the town’s budget.

One of the upcoming challenges is the development on Tyler Street, which could add 100 to 200 new residents. “It will be an issue to make sure that they integrate well and that traffic and stuff like that works,” Roy admitted. However, he views this as a positive challenge, indicative of the town’s growth and appeal.

Roy also highlighted the need for a more diverse housing offer. “We have a lot of big houses for families, but we don’t have a lot of options for the […] kids that want to leave their parents’ house or the older people that just want a smaller place to live,” he said. This focus on housing diversity is critical for accommodating residents at different life stages and ensuring a balanced community.

Modernizing the water station

One of the most significant pieces of news for Ayer’s Cliff is the project to modernize the water station. “We were welcomed for a project to modernize the water station,” Roy shared with enthusiasm. This project is a cornerstone of Roy’s vision for the town’s infrastructure improvement. The modernization is expected to enhance the water quality and ensure a reliable supply for residents, reflecting Roy’s focus on long-term, impactful projects. “It’s very, very, very good news,” he emphasized.

Focus on long-term planning

Roy emphasized the importance of long-term planning. “We’re trying to focus on bigger things, like what we’re going to do with the church because we bought the church, so we have to come up with a project on that,” he said. The church project, along with a comprehensive review of zoning bylaws, are part of Roy’s strategy to prepare Ayer’s Cliff for future generations.

Community and volunteer spirit

One of the strengths of Ayer’s Cliff, according to Roy, is the strong sense of community and volunteerism. “There’s a lot of volunteers, there’s a lot of people who really like the town,” he says. This community spirit was evident when Roy posted an April Fool’s joke on Facebook about changing the town’s name to Hatley’s Cliff. “It shows how passionate people are about their town and its history,” he reflected.

Leadership style and future vision

Roy’s leadership style is characterized by a focus on stability and competence. “We put a lot of time to make sure that we have a good team of employees. We’re really, really happy with the team that we have,” he said. This emphasis on building a strong administrative team allows the council to focus on strategic issues rather than getting bogged down in day-to-day operations.

He also believes in making tough decisions for the greater good. “We raised the tax bill 30 per cent on the first year. We told people that it’s not because we want more money. It’s because you’ve not been paying a fair share for all those years,” Roy explained. This decision, though challenging, was crucial for ensuring the town’s financial health and gaining the respect of residents.

Addressing social issues

While Ayer’s Cliff is generally a family-oriented town with fewer visible social issues compared to larger urban areas, Roy acknowledges that challenges exist. “We don’t have people living on the street that we all know of,” he said. However, there are still residents facing financial difficulties, and the town supports them through initiatives like the food bank.

Looking ahead

As Roy looks to the future, he remains committed to preparing Ayer’s Cliff for the long term. “The main thing is basically that people have been involved. They’ve got deep roots. They are proud of their town. They want it to work,” he said. This deep-seated pride and commitment among residents make Roy’s job as mayor both rewarding and manageable.