François St-Amour. Courtesy photo
L’ORIGNAL – François St-Amour, Mayor of The Nation Municipality, was elected by acclamation as the 2018 Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR).
This coming year represents Warden St-Amour’s second term as the head of the regional council, having previously held the position in 2012. Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux and Clarence-Rockland Mayor Guy Desjardins proposed and seconded the nomination, respectively. St-Amour has been involved in municipal politics since 2003, and has served as Mayor since 2010.
During the traditional swearing-in ceremony held Wed., Dec. 20, in the County Council chambers, Warden St-Amour addressed the priorities of his upcoming presidency, namely support for the new direction of the UCPR’s Economic Development and Tourism Department, which will address gaps and opportunities in the electricity and natural gas networks, the improvement of regional infrastructure, and the development of local municipalities’ commercial and industrial sectors.
During the same ceremony, outgoing Warden Gary J. Barton presented cheques, totaling $20,100, to 14 non-profit organizations in Champlain Township: the L’Orignal Food Bank; the Vankleek Hill Food Bank; the L’Orignal Old Jail; Patrimoine L’Orignal-Longueuil Heritage; the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society; the Vankleek Hill Museum; the Arbor Gallery Cultural Centre; the Higginson Tower Committee; the Club de l’Amicale de L’Orignal; the Vankleek Hill Club d’Age d’Or; the Vankleek Hill Sunshine Club; the Champlain Minor Sports Association; Vankleek Hill Cougars Junior Hockey; and the Eastern Prescott-Russell Minor Hockey Association. These funds were raised during the Warden’s Golf Tournament and Warden’s Banquet fundraisers held during his term.
