Natalie Robitaille

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

PME Mtl held its 25th Anniversary Gala at the Elm Ridge golf club in Ile-Bizard last Wednesday evening.Hundreds of attendees were dazzled as they were greeted with a glass of champagne at the entrance just as they passed a customized ice sculpture. Drinks were served along with an international buffet. A live band entertained guests who took turns on the dance floor.

Elected officials in attendance included Doug Hurley, Mayor of Ile-Bizard; Francis Scarpaleggia, MP for Lac St-Louis; Brigitte Garceau, MNA for Robert Baldwin; Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis, Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Mayor Paola Hawa, Baie-D’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ektvedt, Dollard-des-Ormeaux Mayor Alex Bottausci and Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas.

PME Mtl director Natalie Robitaille told The Suburban that its key to success is to stay in touch with each city and municipality in working towards their economic development. “It is an honour for me to be following in the footsteps of previous directors and I am excited for the future challenges ahead.”

Newly elected Mayor Doug Hurley told The Suburban that the event served as an excellent opportunity for him to get to know fellow mayors and learn how PME Mtl works. “I am amazed with all the opportunities presenting themselves and I am sure that we can all do something positive for our areas.”

“The West Island has developed in unimaginable ways because of the the people behind the scenes, and that is the PME,” Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis said to The Suburban.

“We are very proud to be part of the PME family and events like this really reflect and demonstrate to us how closely knitted we are as a community in the West Island,” DDO Mayor Alex Bottausci added.

“They (the PME) are a valuable asset to all of us to help all small business in every community. To have an organization that does it for us is a wonderful asset,” Pointe-Claire Mayor, Tim Thomas explained.

Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson told The Suburban that the PME demonstrated its abilities and importance to the West Island as a whole through concrete action which built the confidence that demerged cities have in them today.

“Sainte-Anne de Bellevue is very specialized as it revolves around a village atmosphere. PME Mtl has helped our local businesses to grow and brought in new businesses. Just last week, we have been in discussions with our local businesses on how to revamp and adjust to the changing economy. They (PME) has been a wealth of information,” SADB Mayor Paola Hawa explained.

Baie D’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ektvedt also spoke to PME’s ability to pivot, strategize and morph its services to suit all types of communities. “For a small community like ours with a very healthy industrial park, the PME has given us a very hands on approach, attending many meetings related to Human Resources departments in business located in our industrial park and transportation for employees. We really appreciate them.” n