An election showdown is shaping up in the Town of Mount Royal. A group of independent candidates running under the banner "Imagine TMR" says debt is out of control, and they want incumbent mayor Vera Danyluk and her councillors to offer explanations.
They are particularly upset about a cultural centre that is costing the town $3.5 million.
"If we were in a more isolated area, we would push for something like that, but given that we are living just a few kilometers from some of the finest museums in Canada, we don't think that to put $3.5 million on something like this is a priority," said Francois Dagneau, an Imagine TMR candidate.
But incumbent mayor Vera Danyluk says Imagine TMR just doesn't understand.
"People think when you say 'Maison de la culture', you mean another Place des Arts," she said, explaining that the concept behind the building is simple.
"It's a multipurpose municipal building where we would complete the needs of our recreation centre."
Costly new city vehicles
Imagine TMR is also unhappy with the council's decision to purchase 22 new city vehicles, including large snow blowers that cost up to $200,000.
"Now is that a real need? Is that immediate?" asked Dagneau.
But Danyluk says replacing aging vehicles is a necessity.
"Some of our snow removal vehicles are 40 years old or more," she said.
Danyluk also said that she welcomes the competition from Imagine TMR, because she believes that fresh political faces may help increase voter turnout.
