Reply to the Helen Fotopulos Letter

Dear Ms Bialek,

May I point out that as mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal I am elected to work on behalf of all its citizens, not just those who voted for me or my party. You, as a citizen, are encouraged to participate, contribute or dissent, actively or by ballot. The fundamentals of democracy presume an exchange of diverging opinions and the melding of participatory voices into a form of consensus. We all do our part honestly, diligently and respectfully. However, I submit that disdain, as you put it, has never been my attitude regarding the citizens of the Plateau. In fact I do not condone your aggressive campaign aimed at discrediting the many valuable initiatives that meet the aspirations of thousands on the Plateau. What you are implying is tantamount to throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.

Allow me the indulgence of possibly showing you that instead of disdain I have been actively reaching out to and being reached by many concerned residents of the Plateau prior to the Park Avenue name change question. One only needs to go through the sizeable list of citizen initiatives that have become borough/city accomplishments under my stewardship of the Plateau. To mention just a few: the long overdue redesigning of the Park/Pine interchange, the traffic calming measures, the two permanent citizens¹ commissions on Urban planning and sustainable development as well as on Civic and public security, the massive participation in elaborating the borough¹s Master plan and finally the participatory budget process which involved thousands of Plateau residents. As for the Park Avenue name change question, I want to set the record straight and clarify where the ensuing breakdown of communication had truly occurred.

It all began on September 19, 2006, three months ago. The newspaper, La Presse announced that the name of the former premier of Quebec, Robert Bourassa, was to be bestowed upon either of two major Montreal streets, St Joseph or Park Avenue. Both of these streets were significant to honour his personal and political memory. Only one person reacted negatively at the mention of Park Ave. That was it, period. St Joseph was another story. The deluge of mail, telephones and response was decisive, while on Park Ave, not a boo... That same day, the two city councillors from Mile End were at a meeting with Park Ave merchants and what they reported was that, aside from some joking, no one took any particular notice, no alarm whatsoever.

One month later, October 18, the executive committee was presented with the proposed name changes. To avoid the already manifested controversy, St Joseph was dropped. Park Ave was left on the table. At the time, I had one lonely e-mail to support a dissenting vote, and the extensive silence on the part of the media. Moreover, I had not forgotten that The Gazette, in 1987 had suggested that Park Ave would be a safe choice for any forthcoming name changes. I raised some concerns regarding heritage around the mountain which was taken under advisement and the executive committee gave the green light for the proposal to be submitted to City Council for decision. At that moment, I thought that my decision reflected the mood of my constituents.

Then the ground moved. Testimonials, mostly heartfelt and personal began to pour in along with some hate mail, insults and threats. Monday October 23rd, in the company of Montreal¹s mayor we met the Greek Community leaders. Thursday October 26th we met with the merchants of Park Avenue and then, in the afternoon, with our caucus at the city. By Friday October 27th, all the Plateau councillors and I had decided to vote against the proposal at the city council. The mail kept coming. We spoke to our local party executive, the party president as well as some Plateau leaders to inform them of our intentions. On Monday October 30, I submitted my letter to the mayor, stating that I and the Plateau councillors were going to go public with our decision and that I would take responsibility for my mistake. On Tuesday, October 31st, we convened a meeting with various Plateau representatives and activists, after which I did a press announcement. Two of the activists, Mario Rizzi and Alison Lauder refused to attend.

Meanwhile, what was emerging alongside the opposition to the Park Ave name change was a campaign of personal attacks against me. Unsigned flyers circulated calling for my resignation while I was already on record against the name change. Clearly other agendas were at play. In two weeks I had found myself at the center of a controversy and the bearer of all the blame. I accepted my part in assuming mistakenly that controversy was indeed avoidable. Moreover, I still do not understand how the Anglophone and Allophone media, written and electronic, did not pick up on this issue before October 18th.

Wool-gathering and blame games are not relevant to the issue at hand. In the meantime, respectfully, I submit that the task of engendering citizen participation is still foremost of my daily concerns and I am actively and doggedly pushing forward, in spite of what you might think, for greater democracy on the Plateau. Disdain perhaps is your motivation for not contributing positively to democratic debate and instead, disdainfully, lobbing invective from a convenient distance at me and thereby besmirching the sizeable work already underway by so many who are dedicated to making the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough one of the finest anywhere. Furthermore, ³Civic Affairs Reporters² are not cheerleaders for politicians but are indeed professionals and, believe me, they don¹t sing or dance for anyone, not even me.

Helen Fotopulos
Mayor
Plateau Mont Royal Borough

Show me Democracy!

This is democracy in Montreal. This is the process of Gerald Tremblay’s administration. Does it come as a shock to you? Is the community surprised? We know there is no democracy in Tremblay’s party, only hypocrisy.

40 000 petition signatures opposed to the name change; zero petitions for the name change. Yet it has passed. And the mayor has the audacity to say that this is democracy. He has the nerve to say that there was public consultation. A complete and utter lie.

When was the public ever given the right to speak before the proposal? Never. This was a proposal which was forced upon the public. This was a proposal conceived behind closed doors.

And what about the free vote? Well the fix was in right from the beginning. Less than a handful of councilors actually stood up to support the name change, while many councilors voiced their opposition. Yet the vote was lopsided. The councilors were clearly scared to voice their true opinions. The vote was almost completely alon party lines. It should make the people of Montreal sick. The councilors themselves should be ashamed.

So, have we lost the battle for Park Avenue? It seems we have lost a far greater battle for democracy; a battle for the preservation of our history.

They can never take Park Avenue away from us. We know the history of our street, we have the memories, we own houses and businesses which will always be on Park Avenue. And we will continue to fight, tooth and nail, against the name change.

What do we do next?

We are taking legal action against the city. Tremblay’s party mandated in January 2006 to follow rules pertaining to public consultation and transparent government. They are clearly in violation of these rules. We will voice our opposition to the Commission de Toponymie du Quebec, so that they can reject the name change and preserve our beloved Park Avenue. And most of all we remember the politicians in their ivory tower who allowed this to happen.

Je me souviens!

The next municipal elections are a few years away, but we will certainly remember the wounds of Park Avenue. We will recall that Fotopulos initially agreed to change the name of Park Avenue. We will recall that when she and her council flip flopped around the issue and finally decided to oppose the proposal, they did so half-heartedly. She never formally proposed a motion to reject the name change. She never lobbied any councilors in Tremblay’s party to reject the name change. The Plateau councilors, Fotopulos, Prescott and Labrecque abandoned the public. French English, Greek Jewish…all nationalities, all races, were abandoned, and the name change was allowed to pass without strong opposition from our own Plateau councilors. They should be ashamed. They will be voted out at the next election. We the people will show our democracy.

The people of the Plateau had to rely upon Mary Deros and her opposition council from Park Extension to stand up for our community. These are our heroes, and they are not even from our borough. For public consultation we had to rely upon Warren Allmand and Marvin Rotrand who actually had the bravery to stand up against Tremblay and organize an informal consultation in Cote des Neiges. All of these other councilors had to step in and do the work of Helen Fotopulos and her cronies. We will not forget.

Civil Disobedience

And most of all, we will never allow these bureaucrats to change the Park Avenue name. We will post the Park Avenue name over any new street signs. The community will paint over all new signs to preserve the Park Avenue history. We will not change our addresses, or our business names. Park Avenue will always remain Park Avenue.

What the mayor has done has intimately touched the community. He has affected our personal heritage. He is re-writing history and he is trying to change our personal addresses on Park Avenue. His decision will personally affect our lives, and we should not feel afraid to personally affect his. Write him personal letters, and send them directly to his home. He is a person in our community; he is not far above the average person. He is our elected official, and our neighbor, and we should feel free to bring issues to his personal attention. So you can send your mail to Gerald Tremblay’s personal address:

441 Av Stuart
Outremont, QC H2V 3H1

Get Tremblay's home phone number here

How do you feel about being labeled a neo-Montrealer

I didn't know we were neo-Montrealers...I thought I was a Quebecer!

Imagine, Mayor Tremblay thinks I'm a "neo-Montrealer". I quote "Along with other north-south arteries in Montréal, ...Avenue du Parc are marked by the presence of numerous neo-Montrealers". Does he not see that he's adding insult to injury. My parents immigrated to Mile End in 1946. How long does it take before we're considered Quebecers? It sounds a bit like "pure laine" to me. Now he has doubly insulted me. First he's trying to erase my history and then he makes me feel as though I really don't belong anyway because, after all, I'm only a "neo-Montrealer".

Sheila Resels

PS I was born in Montreal and I love this city. I left in 1972 to live in Vancouver and after many years of trying to return here, my husband, son and I finally succeeded 1.5 years ago. We chose to live in Mile End (where I was actually born). It has been a totally positive experience. Calling me and my family "neo-Montrealers", when I feel as though I have finally "come home"...hurts. That's all.

Another letter

Dear Richard,

While I thank you for taking the time to send me the Mayor's view, I must point out that the Mayor's stance in the Avenue du Parc renaming hasn't changed, in spite of public outcry, and therefore doesn't need to be repeated. Your letter failed completely to convince me that the Mayor is correct in this matter.

Furthermore, I was deeply offended by your implication that only so-called "neo-Montrealers" will be affected by the change. In particular, the term "neo-Montrealer" seems to apply to people whose families have lived in Montreal for several generations and I feel this is unjustified. I would like to know how long the Mayor thinks a family needs to live in the city before they can call it home? Your letter also gave me the impression that, because the Mayor feels that the majority of the opposition to the renaming is coming from "neo-Montrealers," the public opposition is less valid. Please remind him that he was elected to serve all Montrealers and, therefore, the view of all Montrealers, no matter how long they have lived here, should be considered equally.

Regardless, the implication that only "neo-Montrealers" will be affected by the change is completely incorrect. If you have been following the debate in the newspapers, you should be aware that many longtime Montrealers are against the proposed name change.

Additionally, I feel your statement about consultation is inaccurate. The consultation the people of Montreal are demanding is public consultation. Consulting the Municipal Council and the Commission de toponymie du Québec does not constitute public consultation.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Susan McVety

Definition of Neo from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Neo: 1 a : new : recent b : new and different period or form of : in a new and different form or manner c : New World d : new and abnormal

Definition

Mayor Gerald Tremblay calls Ave du Parc supporters Neo-Montrealers

Dear Mr. Richard Thériault,

I am scandalized by your comments implying that the name change issue is limited to what you describe as the concerns of neo-Montrealers. I AM a Montrealer!!!! What does it take to be considered a Montrealer rather than having the label "neo" attached? How many generations does it take? I guess you would never refer to me as Quebecois but either as a neo-Quebecois or perhaps Quebecer. The majority of Montrealers are against this name change, whatever their backgrounds!! Do you really find that the majority of the 20.000 + names on the petition sound “ethnic”? For your information, the majority of us are proud second, third etc generation Montrealers. In addition, your comment that this decision does not affect the culture of new arrivals is both misleading and racist. Avenue du Parc is part of our history!!

We do not need to be condescendingly lectured on Mr. Bourassa's great contributions to Quebec society. We are not ignorant people and have lived in Montreal for generations. Indeed most Montrealers would like Mr. Bourassa honored but not at the expense of our personal identity, those of our families’ and city’s heritage brushed aside as unimportant. Quebec City named a highway after him. I also "remind you" (another condescending phrase you included in your letter) that “no” consultation process was undertaken before the October "declaration".

Your lack of respect, your arrogant lecturing and racist neo-labeling underlines your continued disinterest in a true consultation process. Even your subject line “Avenue Robert-Bourassa” is both unofficial and provocative. It further demonstrates your administration’s insensitivity to an issue of concern to a great many Montrealers. Avenue du Parc is still alive.

Many of us have been fans of Mayor Tremblay. However, if this decision goes through, Montrealers of all backgrounds will vote against your party in the next municipal election.

Marion Bialek
3600 Avenue du Parc

Citizens respond

I received this letter from a Gerald Tremblay representative. In it he refers to "neo-Montrealers", and says that changing the street name will have no affect on their history. I don't know what he is trying to suggest when he says neo-Montrealers. I was not aware that we were making these distinctions in Montreal. It seems like he is suggesting that if we care about the history of Ave du Parc, we are neo-Montrealers.

This shows exactly how disconnected Mayor Gerald Tremblay really is. I was born in Montreal and have lived here for 24 years, does this still make me a neo-Montrealer? What about the Greeks and the Jews and the Irish who have roots created on Ave du Parc for well over 100 years, are they neo-Montrealers too?

Apparently many neo-Montrealers live on north-south arteries in Montreal. Are we to assume that classic Montrealers mostly live on East-West arteries? Everything about this makes very little sense, but sadly I am not very surprised that this was a letter from the Mayors office.

This letter is arrogant and insulting. Changing the name of Ave du Parc WILL have a negative effect on the history of Montreal and the matter is being carried out in a non-consultative and autocratic manner.

Mayor Gerald Tremblay calls Ave du Parc supporters Neo-Montrealers

Dear Mr./Ms.,

The Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, received your e-mail in regards to Avenue Robert-Bourassa.

The Ville de Montréal’s Executive Committee has recommended that Avenue du Parc and Rue de Bleury be renamed Avenue Robert-Bourassa in honour of the former Premier of Québec, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his passing. It should be noted that on April 29, 1970, Mr. Robert Bourassa became, at 36, the youngest Premier in the history of Québec. This marked the beginning of a long and brilliant career, as he was elected Premier of Québec on four occasions, for the terms of office of 1970 to 1973, 1973 to 1976, 1985 to 1989, and 1989 to 1993.

This recommendation is also founded on Mr. Bourassa’s legacy. We have him to thank for the creation of medicare, family allowances, legal aid, the Official Language Act, the Conseil du statut de la femme, the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the government of Québec’s first cultural policy, and the Matrimonial Property and Family Support Act. Finally, Robert Bourassa is the “father of James Bay.” He was able to foresee the huge development potential of our hydroelectric network and achieve it. This accomplishment alone, which brings together all of our society’s political persuasions, deserves to be acknowledged. This Premier’s contribution to the development of Québec is one that will maintain our province at the forefront of energy development for many years to come.

As the only elected Premier to have been born in Montréal, Mr. Bourassa spent his childhood on the Plateau Mont-Royal, represented the Mercier and Saint-Laurent ridings for nearly twenty years, and spent a significant part of his life as a resident of Outremont. Avenue du Parc runs along two ridings in which Mr. Bourassa lived and worked, Mercier and Outremont. It also runs along four Montréal boroughs: Ville-Marie, the Plateau Mont-Royal, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie and Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. Avenue Robert-Bourassa will run from Place Riopelle to Rue Jean-Talon, thereby acknowledging Mr. Bourassa's political and economic contributions.

Along with other north-south arteries in Montréal, Rue Bleury and Avenue du Parc are marked by the presence of numerous neo-Montrealers. The decision of changing the name of the artery does not affect in any way their history or the gratitude that we feel for the contributions of new arrivals to Montréal’s development.

With regard to the consultation process, I would like to remind you that the motion was proposed to the Municipal Council in October and will be submitted for approval during the Municipal Council's November meeting, before being filed with the Commission de toponymie du Québec.

Thank you for having taken the time to express your opinion on this matter. Rest assured that we will take your comments into consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Richard Thériault
Director of Administration and Communications

Ave. du Parc, Je me Souviens

Being such a historic street, with deep significance for so many people in Montreal, the public is invited to send in art and memorabilia pertaining to Ave du Parc. Letters, historic photographs, signs, and general memorabilia are all encouraged.

In mid November, all items submitted will go on display. Included in the display will be some remarks and formal letters which the public has written against the name change. Together, we will show all Montrealer what Ave du Parc means to us.

For details, contact Mario Rizzi, 514 967 9827

Helen Fotopulos shows up late

Let it be known that I myself started waiting at city hall at 3pm on Monday afternoon for the city council meeting to start at 7pm. Four hours I waited in line, for a chance to ask Helen Fotopulos a question. I was second in line. Yet when the Council meeting began, Helen Fotopulos was mysteriously absent. We were forced to direct our questions instead to other members of the council.

Once again Helen, you have let us down. People from our group have still been unable to contact you personally; you are still not representing you constituents. You have made no attempt to even act like a good leader, much less borough Mayor. Very disappointing. Pathetic even.

On a side point, we would like to note that our questions in regard to putting forth an "avis de motion" to reject the name change were clearly sidestepped. Council members, you have voiced opposition, now you must act. Put forth a motion to reject the name change. Do you have such courage?

Helen, c'est fini - Residents taking back their borough

With the help of over a dozen volunteers and supporters, 3000 flyers have been distributed throughout the Plateau Mont Royal region urging people to stop supporting borough mayor Helen Fotopulos. Due to her support for the name change, against the wishes of the residents in her community, Helen Fotopulos will no longer be tolerated as borough mayor.

The Avenue du Parc belongs to Montreal and Plateau Mont- Royal residents. Du Parc has been a part of the community for well over 100 years, and we will not allow Helen Fotopulos to sacrifice the Avenue du Parc name for her own political gain within the Tremblay administration.

Many more handouts have been printed, and supporters and volunteers will once again be out distributing them throughout the Plateau region on Friday. If you would like to help, please contact us at helpsaveparc@yahoo.com

Of special note, at exactly 11am Friday October 27, we will officially be placing a handout in Mayor Tremblay's mail box. Supporters can present themselves at the corner of Cote Ste Catherine and Stuart Avenue in Outremont if they would like to be a part of the event. Note this is not a protest or demonstration. If you wish to protest, come to Montreal City Hall on Monday night, 7pm.

Demonstration at City Hall, Monday at 7:00pm

City councilors will be voting on the Avenue du Parc name change on Monday evening beginning at 7:30pm. We are organizing a mass demonstration in front of City Hall starting at 7pm to counter the decision and show our support for Avenue du Parc. Bring your loud voices, protest signs, and as many people as possible, our voices must be heard. Ave. du Parc will be saved!

Demonstration: Lundi 30 Octobre, 2006

Hôtel de ville

275, rue Notre-Dame Est
Montréal (Québec)

Helen, c'est fini

Helen Fotopulos, mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough has supported the proposed name change for Ave. du Parc to Ave. Robert Bourassa. This is against the public opinion of the residents in her borough. As concerned citizens of Montreal and especially the Plateau-Mont-Royal community, our voice has not been heard.

The Save Ave. du Parc campaign will begin by distributing documents door to door throughout the Plateau-Mont-Royal in order to make Helen Fotopulos pay the political price for her proposed name change of Ave. du Parc.

This campaign against Helen Fotopulos and for Ave du Parc will begin Thursday October 26, 2006. Together we will rally against Helen Fotopulos.

If you would like to help in the door to door distribution, please contact me.

In Le Devoir : Lettres: Pour célébrer l'avenue du Parc

Phyllis Lambert
Montréal, le 23 octobre 2006

Édition du mardi 24 octobre 2006

Monsieur le Maire, au moment où vous avez été élu à la mairie de Montréal, vous vous êtes publiquement engagé à offrir à vos concitoyens une gouvernance moderne fondée sur des principes démocratiques, confirmant ainsi la fin des règnes par trop autocratiques contre lesquels les voix de nombreux citoyens se sont opposées dans un passé encore récent.


Or, en imposant le changement de nom de l'avenue du Parc, vous niez, en quelque sorte, votre engagement à une plus grande transparence dans le processus de décision et laissez entrevoir, par ce geste, des relents d'anciens régimes que nous croyions à jamais révolus et qui ne sont pas de bon augure pour l'avenir.

L'avenue du Parc, vous le savez, porte un nom qui recèle une histoire et s'inscrit dans le tissu profond de notre ville. En témoignent :

- la volonté commune des citoyens et du conseil municipal qui, dans les années 1870, ont confié au célèbre architecte-paysagiste Frederick Law Olmsted le soin d'aménager un grand parc urbain dans les cimes, les flancs et aux pieds du mont Royal;

- le rassemblement de près de 2000 citoyens qui, au prix d'efforts considérables, ont rénové le quartier Milton-Parc et créé la plus vaste coopérative d'habitation sans but lucratif au Canada;

- la vigilance soutenue des citoyens pour empêcher la dilapidation du mont Royal par des projets de développement immobiliers irréfléchis et pour promouvoir la mise en valeur de la montagne;

- l'importante décision prise par le ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec de protéger les aires du mont Royal.

Enfin, vous-même, Monsieur le Maire, présidez en ce moment à un important projet de réaménagement sur le site de l'échangeur du Parc/avenue des Pins qui ouvre une vaste fenêtre sur le coeur naturel de Montréal : le grand Parc du Mont-Royal.

Toutes ces réalisations témoignent d'une histoire que chaque Montréalais vit intimement dans son rapport avec sa ville, son parc et sa montagne. Le récent réaménagement de l'avenue du Parc devrait être pour Montréal une occasion de célébrer l'aire naturelle DU PARC en tant que lieu de rassemblement urbain unique.

Au lieu de cela, nous devons à nouveau élever notre voix et faire appel à votre sens démocratique et à votre respect de notre histoire en maintenant la dénomination actuelle de l'avenue du Parc.

Préserver l'histoire de cette artère, c'est célébrer l'avenue du Parc.

Letter to the Mayor

Monsieur le maire Gérald Tremblay

Mes salutations distinguées...

À l’age de 21 ans, quasi tous les jours, ayant pédallé dans les années cinquante (mil neuf cent) avec mon bicycle sur ‘’Park Avenue’’ entre Park Ex. (Je demeurais au 7449 Bloomfield) afin de m'éduquer à MIT soit Montreal Institute of Technology qui était situé au 300 Sherbrooke ouest Montréal, je m’objecte à L’INFINI sur votre choix indu. (Oui la bâtisse est toujours là)

Ainsi que les milliers de gens de l’avenue elle-même pense comme moi.

Je comprends vos intentions, et si vous voulez vraiment honorer cet homme et ne pas faire perdre d’innombrables heures perdues dans le futur, car les erreurs d’adresses soit Henri-Bourassa et vos souhaits de nommer Park Avenue Robert Bourassa, ne fera que confondre trop souvent. (L’inefficacité étant la base de toute faillite!)

Ce serait préférable et plus logique et un plus grand honneur pour Monsieur Bourassa de renommer l’autoroute de l’acier (la route 30) qui relie Sorel là où il avait de la parenté et à fait beaucoup avec les Simard (Plutôt qu’une rue qui porte trois noms. Soit Park Avenue, Bleury, et rue St-Pierre!!!

Ce ne serait que logique et sensé!!!!

Oui j’ai payé des taxes dans Park Extension jusqu’en 1989 où j’ai déménagé à Verchères.

Étant maintenant âgé de 74 ans, les rues de Montréal ont tellement changés de noms qu’elle est plus difficile à reconnaître surtout pour les touristes qui vous aident énormément à payer pour boucher les ‘’trous’’ de toutes sortes, et nous les aînés qui voyagent moins souvent à Montreal.

Pourquoi La ville de New York ne change pas le nom de Times Square pour Gérald Tremblay??%?

Illogique vous direz, oui vous auriez raison, et aussi illogique que de changer le nom de Park Avenue

Raymond Tartre