Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
Most Commented
Poppy plate guarantees free parking in Ste. Anne de Bellevue
"We're sorry it took so long" - Mayor Bill Tierney
The Gazette
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Veterans of the Canadian armed forces just got a free pass in Ste. Anne de Bellevue.
A parking pass, that is. And only if they have the red poppy license plate on their vehicles.
Ste. Anne councillors recenlty adopted a resolution allowing drivers who qualify for the special license plates adorned with a bright red poppy in honour of Canada’s veterans, to park free-of-charge in all town parking spots that have parking meters.
“We should have done it when the poppy license plates first came out a few years ago,” Ste. Anne de Bellevue Mayor Bill Tierney said earlier this week “But we just never got around to it.
Tierney said the matter came to a head in November, 2007 when Premier Charest came to Ste. Anne de Bellevue to announce that the section of Highway 20 between the Ontario-Quebec border and the Turcot interchange would be renamed as Remembrance Highway.
“A lot of veterans came to our town that day for that occasion and some of them got parking tickets, even those who had the poppy plates,” Tierney said adding that there are 190 parking meter spots in the town. “That should never have happened and so that it doesn’t happen again, we adopted the resolution at our last council meeting, on Sept. 29.
“We want veterans to identify with Ste. Anne,” he said noting that the town has been home to the Ste. Anne Hospital for Veterans since 1917.
“This is just a bit of recognition, to say we remember and are still grateful to them – and we’re sorry it took so long.”
Richard Guy, president of the Churchill branch 91, predicted a run on demand for the plates which veterans can get by filling out a form through their Legion branch and paying a $10 fee, although veterans in need are given assistance, said Guy. The poppy plate, provided through the province’s automobile insurance board, the Societé d’Assurance d’Automobile du Québec.
“We are very pleased with the city council decision,” Guy said adding that the town also gave the Legion a $500 donation.
“As far as I am aware, anyone who served in the Canadian forces is entitled to that license plate,” he said adding that the Churchill branch legion has 340 members. “I am sure many of our members will be filling out that form.”
Frank Patterson,a WWII air force veteran who has had a poppy license plate for almost two years, said he welcomed the decision by St.Anne de Bellevue city council.
“It’s great, a very nice gesture,” said Patterson, 87, who suffers from breathing problems. “Having free park will really be helpful as well as practical.”
Simon Derosiers, spokesman for the province’s automobile insurance board, said 3,311 poppy plates have been issued so far in Quebec.