Seniors rule

It is interesting to note the region has several mayors who are in their 70s and most of them will likely be back in office after the upcoming Nov. 1 elections, such as Edward Janiszewski who has been heading Dollard des Ormeaux since 1984, including one mandate as borough mayor during the Montreal mega-city years. Bill McMurchie, 77, a retired civil servant who worked in the Montreal municipal valuation department, has headed Pointe Claire since 1998 after serving as a city councillor under the late Malcolm Knox. Longtime Kirkland Mayor John Meaney and Beaconsfield Mayor Bob Benedetti, a retired broadcast journalist who is currently serving his first term on council, are both 70. Pierrefonds/Roxboro borough mayor Monique Worth, 65, who is seeking her third mandate to head the borough, served as a Pierrefonds city councillor for over a decade before it became a part of the City of Montreal. “Age has nothing to do with being a mayor. It is your commitment to your city that counts,” Meaney stated, while confirming he plans to seek re-election.

Longtime Ste. Anne de Bellevue Mayor Bill Tierney, 63, a retired educator, suggested gender balance on council is more of a concern than age. “Councils need a blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm like sports teams. Remember, too, that life expectation has shot up since the 1960s: people die later ie. are useful longer. I like the idea of councils with gender-balance more than I worry about age. Our council is 50-50 and it's great,” he stated.

While there are women present on councils in most West Island municipalities, Kirkland and Pointe Claire are currently all-male make-ups.

One wonders if enough people, no matter what age or gender, are taking interest in local municipal politics and would be willing to enter an election race and perhaps offer new perspectives or solutions.

It is worth noting that while the septuagenarian mayors may be returning for another term in office, it is time for the next generation to make inroads and at least start to consider making a run in their respective municipal election. In most West Island cities, depending on the circumstances, it has been customary for a person to sit as a city councillor before running for mayor. However, as retiring Beaconsfield city councillor James Hasegawa, 79, told The Chronicle, the motivation for being on council should be about wanting to serve the community, not the prestige factor.