Old News

One Year Ago

January 18, 2007

ANTI-AGGLOM PLATFORM: "While the provincial Action Democratique party is renewing a promise to abolish Montreal's Agglomeration Council if elected, Westmount Liberal MNA Jacques Chagnon says the Charest government has no plans to change the island council's structure before Quebecers head to the polls in the spring. The mayors of the island's 15 reconstituted cities are marking the beginning of their second year of demerger with a renewed protest that the City of Montreal is still abusing its control of the Agglomeration Council. They are also suggesting that the Liberals could face a hard time on election day in Montreal's suburbs, because of a failure to deal with the continuing agglomeration problem. With a majority of the population on the island, the City of Montreal dominates voting on the governing body set up by the province, and effectively controls budget allocations and other crucial matters."



Ten Years Ago

January 22, 1998

FIVE-STAR SHAAR: "They came from all over the west end, seeking a warm shelter, a hot meal, and perhaps a friendly smile. Five days later, when life had finally returned to normal for most, they regretfully left with warm memories of all their needs met plus new friends, special attention and even fun. The shelter from the storm of the century that Shaar Hashomayim provided to the community during the ice storm has been dubbed by many of the evacuees as 'The Five-Star Shelter.'"



Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 20, 1983

CRAZY LANDLORDS?: "The quality of life in Westmount is fast going down the drain, charges one resident who has appealed to the City to protect apartment tenants through legislation. 'When will Westmount create laws to protect us against our crazy landlords?' Christiane van Renesse asked Mayor Donald MacCallum. The longtime resident of Westmount went before the city council recently, incensed by a two-page rental board judgment that reduced her rent by 54 cents a month. 'They insulted me to give me 54 cents,' she told the mayor. 'It's just terrible for us in Westmount,' she continued. 'They think because you live in Westmount you can afford to pay high rents.'"



Seventy Years Ago

January 21, 1938

TRAINING FACILITIES: "The building at the corner of Metcalfe avenue and Sherbrooke street in Westmount was purchased by the Canadian government a few months ago to provide a place of training for the non-permanent 115th Squadron of the Canadian air force. The building was vacated by the Bell Telephone Company several years ago and had not been used since it was the Westmount telephone exchange. The government is going to renovate it completely. The squadron until now has not had a permanent home for ground training; actual flying is done at St. Hubert airfield. Strength of No. 115 is between 80 and 100 men. Squadron leader Frank McGill is commanding officer."