Old News

Five Years Ago

November 8, 2001

PONDERING THE FUTURE: "Westmount Mayor Peter Trent says he wouldn’t mind pursuing a political career at a higher level of government, but he has so far had no offers from political parties. In the last six months or so, as the anti-merger struggle intensified and Trent assumed the lead role among Montreal Island politicians, he has often been asked by reporters whether he would ever consider running for federal or provincial office. Trent says he is 'not closing the door' on any political opportunities that may come his way, although he is not actively pursuing any right now. At no point has he discussed the matter with any political party, however. 'I'm leaving the door open, but I’m not going to be actively pursuing it at this point,' said Trent. 'But I’m certainly not saying I would totally discount it... I’m still very much involved in the battle for the city right now.'

While acknowledging that he is a card-carrying member of the Quebec Liberal Party, Trent said he never looked into whether there might be an opening in a provincial riding for a candidate like himself. Westmount-St. Louis is currently served by MNA Jacques Chagnon, who lives on the South Shore. 'I’m a member of the provincial Liberals—not that it really means much,' said Trent. 'I haven’t been active at all. I’ve had a card for some years, but that’s all.'"



Ten Years Ago

November 7, 1996

PRO-CANADA RESOLUTION: “Other municipalities may be considering it, and the City of Côte St. Luc just did it, but Westmount council has no plans to put Canadian patriotism in the form of a resolution. Anwoth Road resident and lawyer William Keating asked council on Monday to adopt what he called a ‘pro-Canada resolution’ declaring Westmounters’ desire for the city to remain Canadian in the event of Quebec’s separation. ‘I don’t think it’s time for silence,’ said Keating, warning council that it may be ignoring ‘a groundswell of public opinion’ on the controversial partition issue.�



Fifteen Years Ago

November 7, 1991

CUTLER’S CHOICE: “The entire slate of candidates endorsed by outgoing Mayor May Cutler was swept to victory in Sunday’s election as 39 percent of eligible Westmount voters elected seven first-time councillors. The big upset came in ward 6 where lawyer James Wright narrowly defeated the only incumbent in the race, Joan Rothman, after Mayor May Cutler and mayor-elect Peter Trent sent letters to voters supporting Mr. Wright.�



Forty-Five Years Ago

November 10, 1961

COLD WAR MEASURES: “The threat of a nuclear attack is being brought home to Westmount residents by the erection of warning sirens in the city. Two large sirens, one on the YMCA building at the corner of Sherbrooke street and Arlington avenue, and the other at the intersection of Terrebonne and Royal, will soon be gracing the skyline. A further siren, much smaller than the others, is to be placed on a 45-foot high telephone pole on the boulevard strip of Surrey Gardens in the vicinity of Devon avenue. The Emergency Measures Organization of the federal government is responsible for the sirens being placed in the area, and were given permission to go ahead last week by the city council.�