Do you want the city to fill the potholes?

Posted By: Laura Casella · 3/22/2013 3:39:00 PM

The city of Montreal says it has a dilemma and it wants to know what the citizens think.

The dilemma is whether is should get more asphalt from some questionable companies so it can continue filling potholes, or not do business with them and run out of asphalt by April 15th.

Mayor Michael Applebaum greeted reporters Friday afternoon in Old Montreal where he was filling a pothole himself, with the help of executive committee chairman Laurent Blanchard.

Applebaum believes it is necessary to renew the contract because it is a question of safety for motorists and cyclists.

"I feel very clearly that citizens also feel that it is important to fill these potholes."

Citizens are now invited to say what they think in an online survey.

"Do you want these potholes to be filled or not?" asks Applebaum.

He says the results of the poll will be handed to city councillors next week. He hopes the results will convince elected officials to vote to go ahead with the renewal of the contract.

"We're asking them to get involved so that their elected officials understand the importance of this dossier."

Opposition parties are welcoming the idea of citizen participation.

If you are a resident of Montreal and would like to participate in the survey visit: goo.gl/fg2Ba

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  • 24
  1. Umaga posted on 03/22/2013 04:07 PM
    This guy's unbelievable ! Is it not his job to make decisions like that ? Was he up too late partying in the Mob Loge at the Bell Center again ?
  2. Jeff Hacc posted on 03/22/2013 04:09 PM
    Are you KIDDDDDDDDIINGGG ME? What Kind of joke is this? Asking the publics vote to fix potholes? This is honestly the best one to date. What a joke. Wow.
  3. Joe posted on 03/22/2013 04:12 PM
    No, don't bother to fill them. Let's see just how bad these roads actually are. Wait until some of them start to completely fall apart. It will show just how corrupt our "city" really is. We want more and bigger potholes. Once we have enough, we can fill them with the people at City Hall. Probably better than the crap that they use now.
  4. Jansport posted on 03/22/2013 04:34 PM
    Why not buy it elsewhere instead? Bulk discount from Costco or Home Depot? I'm sure there are other companies who would MORE than willing to help us out!! They make cement sound like an endangered species, smh!
    1. Jenny D. posted on 03/25/2013 10:21 AM
      @Jansport Thank you Jansport, that is exactly what I said. Buy the materials from another LEGAL source, use the 3500 or 3800 public workers that make between 55$ - 65$ per hour and FILL THEM. Bunch of monkeys.
    show more replies
  5. irving itman posted on 03/22/2013 05:19 PM
    I can't imagine that Mayor Applebaum & the city Executive committee cannot take a leadership role to secure other suplies from Vermont,New york ,Ontario or other neighbouring Provinces, even if it costs a little more for transportation.Knowing that the contract companies might have certain allegations against them makes it even more odious to deal with them.Did'nt we already overpay enough of our hard earned Tax dollars the past 6-8 years ? What part of enough is enough, do our "trusted politicians & bureaucrats" not understand or is it "see no evil hear no evil ?Let's get our city & province back on track & not continue to be the laughing stock of the world.
  6. john posted on 03/22/2013 05:44 PM
    are we being pushed to buy from questionable companies??
    what about buying asphalt from foreign sources as they do???

    Something does not sound right about the way cities do business and has to be corrected.
    I would love to see one of these officials on an open line hotseat.
  7. Geo posted on 03/22/2013 06:46 PM
    Mayor Applebaum...here's what you're telling us:

    1- You are (kind of) advising us (in advance !) that we will be ripped of if we use one of the companies in question. Astonishing.

    2- If we don't use the services of these companies, we, the citizens, will have to bear with the million potholes, most of which were there before this asphalt shortage. And of course, we will have to cover the costs of repairing bikes and cars and people since the city of Montreal is no longer liable for pothole related accidents or damage.

    Oh yeah....there is another option. I will buy some asphalt and pay you minimum wage to come by here with a shovel and a wheelbarrow and fill the potholes on my street. I'm sure there are many others who would do the same, just for the laugh.

    I really hope you consider running for Mayor after your year is up so I can take a leave of absence from work, and relentlessly campaign against you on behalf of a candidate with scruples.
  8. carmine posted on 03/22/2013 08:08 PM
    Has asphalt become a rare comodity. I don't understand what they mean by, "running out of asphalt?" Can't they just make more? Come on, someone has got to explain this to me.
    If I buy alot now, I'll be able to sell it back to you for more than double in April...
  9. common sense posted on 03/22/2013 08:16 PM
    Why not hire cotracters from Ontario, Vermont, or New York state ? They hve weather, they also have rosads .trd
  10. maria posted on 03/23/2013 07:49 AM
    This guy can not be serious - After all this time only now is he thinking about who will fill the potholes - the contractors that have been mentioned at the Charbonneau Comm. did not just come out of a hat overnight. he knew about this for quite awhile otherwise he is a complete incompetent fool. 1st of all the city must have so muh cash from all these illegal contributions to their cause, party, whatever you want to call it, that this asphalt should not cost tax-payers any money at all - 2nd of all if they go back to the contrators mentioned in the commission then these contractors should do it for free, as it seems we have already paid double and maybe even triple the regular cost of this asphalt. and 3rd of all if nobody in montreal is honest enough to do business with , then Hello ontario is just a border cross away or is Quebec to embarrassed . but boy oh boy is this guy Applebaum protecting his behind they are all a bunch of foxes in sheeps clothing..He should be ashamed of himself trying to pull a fast one on the citizens. These potholes already cost me 2 winter tires that blew that is close to 700$ - and the city seems to be completly protected against getting sued for damages - when is it going to be our turn - when will the money we pay in taxes actualy going to do something to help us - this city and province is completly corrupt - We should have our Mr. Bonhomme with the briefcase full of cash on all Magazines, and this time keep our mouth shut, as it is all so true.
    DISGUSTED!!!
  11. Manoli posted on 03/23/2013 10:30 AM
    The illusion that YOU, the people , make a difference and have a say excersising your democratic voice. What a joke. Politicians have ALWAYS taken the public for idiots and continuosly insult out intelligenc only because we let them get away with it. We deserve what we get.
  12. Debbie posted on 03/23/2013 01:49 PM
    How about finding out what the real cost should be and only paying that flat rate...any business that will do the work at that flat rate gets the job... and for any company that tries to pad the bill and cheat the system, your bill doesn't get paid!
  13. Lena73 posted on 03/23/2013 02:23 PM
    NO to corruption. Surely the Ville de Montreal can find other sources to fix this problem. These cannot possibly be the only 2 options. If we say yes, then all the corruption inquiries that are going on right now are for naught.
    Let's get integrity back to our city and filling potholes will follow.
  14. Mike posted on 03/23/2013 04:27 PM
    What a crock of s..t! Poor Mayor "Dodgeball" Applebaum has a dilemma...our safety or having to call Gerald or Frank or Tony for an update on who has cornered the market on low grade asphalt! SURVEY SAYS: give the contract to a company from Ontario. Their work will last longer, (just take a quick drive over the border) and they won't charge for kickbacks. Michael, where did you get the asphalt to fix that pothole?
    You did a great job.Can a career change be in store for you?
  15. Jenny D. posted on 03/25/2013 10:19 AM
    I have a great idea for Mr. Applebaum. Outsource the asphalt from a supplier in Ontario and then use your 3500 PUBLIC WORKERS to fill the damn holes - what are we paying them for Mr. Applebaum? How's that for an idea. Corruption companies not used, asphalt purchased, holes filled by public workers who make 55$ an hour, holes filled. VOILA -
  16. Skibble5150 posted on 03/25/2013 12:12 PM
    This city continues to be in a total shambles.

    Applebaum was clearly dropped on his head as a child.
  17. Mark Z posted on 03/25/2013 02:01 PM
    The question asked is improper as it is "loaded" and it is loaded to get a yes reply, as nobody can be against filling potholes. Why not ask another loaded question such as do you want to work with companies named in front of a commission as corrupt or do you wish us to seek other alternatives such as seeking asphalt from reputable companies, including suppliers outside the province?
    This survey is a waste of citizens' time. What's next? ..another survey where Mr Applebaum asks us yes or no, " Are you aware of your foot?"
  18. Joe posted on 03/25/2013 04:45 PM
    Applebaum said a short time ago that asphalt cannot come from Ontario. It needs to stay hot. Is this guy for real? Does he think that asphalt is always hot in Quebec? We are smart enough Appelbaum to know that it is made of a mix of things and then needs to be used at a certain temperature. The people of Montreal are not as stupid as you seem to be. Purchase what is required from Ontario or some other place, have them deliver it to Montreal, mix it and then apply it. Can you not think???? Kickbacks count in Montreal I guess at least in City Hall.
  19. al posted on 03/26/2013 02:40 AM
    We as citizens, french, english, Italians and allophones should march with our buckets of quick dry cement and fill the potholes..then get paid for it...Tax free for those who participate.. The work would be done by honest citizens.
  20. J.S. posted on 03/26/2013 04:48 AM
    Here's an idea. Have the students fill their pockets with dirt and as they protest all over the city they can fill in the pot holes. This would be for most of them their first and last job., unless they get a job with the p.q.
  21. steve posted on 03/26/2013 11:43 AM
    God forbid we should get the job done right and on time, from a company from out side the province.The radical corrupt labor unions would never allow that!! And that as everyone knows is at the root of the problem.
  22. bruce posted on 03/27/2013 08:47 AM
    lets save the money. let the city go to ruins. then everyone can move out, give up driving, and we can start over again with horses.
    a new leaf.
    progress has killed us.
    just think, if we all save the money that goes to looking after the infrastructure, then our taxes will go down. what a great empty city we can all have.
    no rush hour, no hopes, and no aspirations.
    also, we can start publc lashing for those that are against this reversal in life.
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