Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

MARIA – The municipality of Maria suffered two setbacks at the MRC of Avignon Council of Mayors on February 12, regarding the election of a prefect by universal vote and the regionalization of the Carleton-sur-Mer arena. 

The mayor of Maria, Jean-Claude Landry, considered it relevant to get a new start on a prefect elected by the population, considering the responsibilities devolved to the MRCs at the end of the years have become important. Prefect Mathieu Lapointe, recalls that discussions have taken place five or six times since 2021. 

The issue was settled in June 2024. “After much thought, everyone was unanimously in favour of the current elective method, i.e. the prefect elected by his peers. What we did was simply adopt it by resolution, so that the position would be clear. We went back over the arguments that had been discussed. In the end, the elected officials wanted to maintain the current method,” says Mr. Lapointe. 

According to the prefect, everyone is playing their part well. “Things are going well. We are developing. We are on a good run. Avignon is doing better than ever. We wanted to maintain the current ways of doing things. What will it be like in a year, two years, five years? We will see,” he says. 

The other debate ended with Avignon elected officials refusing to regionalize the Carleton-sur-Mer arena. 

On February 10, Carleton adopted a resolution imposing a $1,200 fee on minor hockey and figure skating users residing outside of Carleton-sur-Mer to help cover the arena’s operating deficit. 

Maria wanted to see the infrastructure taken over by the MRC. “The MRC council quickly closed the door. The MRC does not want to interfere in the management of sports and leisure infrastructure and does not want to interfere in issues between municipalities. The debate does not concern the municipalities of the West,” said the prefect. 

“It’s disappointing. I admit it. However, it is a decision made by the MRC representatives,” said Maria Mayor Jean-Claude Landry. “There will be discussions at the Municipality of Maria on the follow-up to the responses received by the MRC,” the elected official mentioned following the meeting with his colleagues. 

Further discussions on all municipal infrastructure may take place. 

“The response was negative. Is there a need to come back to the charge? We will discuss it again at the municipality,” continued Mr. Landry.